Government House Precinct Land Dedication Bill

Introduction and First Reading

Received from the House of Assembly and read a first time.

Second Reading

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (22:51): I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

I seek leave to have the second reading explanation inserted in Hansard without my reading it.

Leave granted.

Plans for a suitable commemoration of the Centenary of Anzac date back to 2009 when the Veterans' Advisory Council, chaired by the Hon Sir Eric Neal AC CVO, was first asked to consider the matter. On the recommendation of the Council, the State Government announced a proposal to establish a Memorial Walk in January 2014 as a fitting tribute to the service and sacrifice of all those who have served or been affected by the impact of war.

The Memorial Walk is a unique opportunity to create a commemorative space in the heart of Adelaide and its memorial precinct. It represents a once in a century project in complete harmony with the City of Adelaide and its surrounding memorials, the River Torrens, parks and gardens. It will rank as a flagship project that will benefit every South Australian and honour the Anzacs and all other servicemen and women.

The Memorial Walk seeks to physically and symbolically link the State's principal site of remembrance, the South Australian National War Memorial on North Terrace, with Torrens Parade Ground and the Pathway of Honour. Designed as a memorial for all, the Memorial Walk does not seek to discriminate between conflict or theatre of war. Nor does it seek to highlight any individual's service. The Memorial Walk will be reflective of South Australia's involvement in conflict since federation.

A $10 million project to advance design and construction of the Memorial Walk was announced in April 2015.

Funding for the project has been provided from three sources; $5 million from the Anzac Public Fund, underwritten by the Commonwealth Government, $3 million from the State Government, and $2 million in funds and works from the Adelaide City Council.

The agreed design for the Memorial Walk requires a change to the boundaries of Government House along its Kintore Avenue perimeter, bringing it in 10 metres.

The boundary is defined in legislation dating back to 1927. In 1949 the National Soldiers Memorial Act amended that boundary to allow for the construction of the South Australian National War Memorial on the corner of North Terrace and Kintore Avenue.

The Bill before the House proposes to change the eastern boundary and redefine the exact boundary dedicated to the current National War Memorial.

It dedicates the excised area on the eastern boundary for the purposes of the Anzac Memorial Garden Walk and vests its care, control and management in The Corporation of the City of Adelaide.

I commend the Bill to Members.

Explanation of Clauses

1—Short title

2—Commencement

These clauses are formal.

3—Interpretation

This clause defines the ANZAC Centenary Memorial Garden Walk land and the Government House Domain land by reference to the map set out in Schedule 1.

4—Dedication of ANZAC Centenary Memorial Garden Walk land

This clause provides for the dedication of the ANZAC Centenary Memorial Garden Walk land.

5—Control of ANZAC Centenary Memorial Garden Walk land

This clause provides that the Adelaide City Council has care, control and management of the ANZAC Centenary Memorial Garden Walk land.

6—Continuation of dedication of Government House Domain land

This clause continues the dedication of the Government House Domain land (the land is currently dedicated under section 2 of the Government House Domain Dedication Act 1927, which is repealed by the Bill).

Schedule 1—Government House Precinct—Plan

The Plan shows the land within the Government House Precinct. It sets out the ANZAC Centenary Memorial Garden Walk land and the Government House Domain land for the purposes of the definitions in the Bill. It also shows the site for the National Soldiers Memorial.

Schedule 2—Related amendments and repeal

Part 1—Preliminary

1—Amendment provisions

This clause is formal.

Part 2—Amendment of National Soldiers Memorial Act 1949

2—Repeal of Preamble

The repeal of the Preamble is related to the repeal of the Government House Domain Dedication Act 1927.

3—Amendment of section 2—Control of National Soldiers Memorial

This amendment is related to the repeal of the Government House Domain Dedication Act 1927.

Part 3—Repeal of Government House Domain Dedication Act 1927

The Government House Domain Dedication Act 1927 is repealed.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins.

At 22:52 the council adjourned until Wednesday 2 December 2015 at 10:15.