Page 1607 - Week 06 - Thursday, 3 May 1990
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than I would have done five years ago. But we have enough reason to suppose that there is a little bit of flexibility and elasticity in that figure to be pursuing detailed discussions on how that figure is compiled and whether it is a figure that we can accept without reservation when the transfer occurs.
MR STEVENSON: I ask a supplementary question. Once a figure has been agreed upon, would it be wise to have any latitude in case that does not actually turn out to be the case?
MR KAINE: Yes, of course it would, but we have to remember that there are two sides to this negotiating table. We would certainly want to keep the negotiations open for future years in case it is established in the first year of operation that that figure was not accurate. Of course, it could work to our advantage or it could work to our disadvantage, but we would prefer to have an opportunity to re-evaluate that figure after perhaps the first year of operation. That depends on whether the Commonwealth is prepared to enter into a contract that gives us that degree of flexibility, which it may see as being detrimental to its interests in the long term, but certainly we would want to negotiate the ability to keep that figure under discussion.
ACT Police Force
MR BERRY: My question is directed to Mr Bernard Collaery, the Deputy Chief Minister. What meetings has he had with the Federal Minister for Justice over the transfer of police to the ACT and what scheduled meetings were cancelled because of the election?
MR COLLAERY: I thank Mr Berry for the question, another historic event. Mr Speaker, the procedures devised by the former Chief Minister were that there be an officers working group and a steering committee. That structure that Rosemary Follett put into place I allowed to continue because it seemed appropriate. Indeed, I was instructed yesterday by my advisers, in the presence of the Assistant Commissioner of the AFP, that there was some delay during the election period. I did not ask him for any details, but I understand that - - -
Ms Follett: What meetings have you had with Senator Tate?
MR COLLAERY: I will take that aspect on notice and advise the Assembly.
Mr Berry: Well, you would know whether you had a meeting.
MR COLLAERY: As far as I know, our joint officers have agreed, as the former Chief Minister arranged it, that that steering committee would, as I said in the house yesterday,
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