Page 4373 - Week 15 - Tuesday, 19 November 1991
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MR WOOD: Mr Stevenson used the words "our poll results". I suppose he means Mr Stevenson's poll results. I am not sure that the Follett Government would act on those results. We are well in touch with the community. As the largest political party in this town, engaged in constant rounds of meetings and doorknocking and other campaign and routine strategies, we have a pretty good idea of what the community says.
The decision, as I have said on only one other occasion in this Assembly, since it has not been much asked about, was not taken lightly. Nevertheless, there was a cushioning that had been a privilege, a concession, long granted to the non-government schools. In circumstances where we needed to find some savings in the non-government schools program, this was clearly the most equitable way to do it. It was certainly a better process than hiving off a much larger amount of money from all schools, including those schools that could least afford it. The decision was fair in all the circumstances, and one that we will hold to.
MR STEVENSON: I ask a supplementary question. The question was: Has Mr Wood done the surveys? As the surveys show that the majority of people in Canberra are against the cuts, will he re-evaluate?
MR WOOD: Again, they are Mr Stevenson's surveys and, as is the case with a range of data Mr Stevenson presents to this Assembly, I do not place much credence in it.
Investigations Unit
MR COLLAERY: My question is directed to the Chief Minister in her role as director of the public service and the internal Investigations Unit. Will the Chief Minister assure the house that the installation of any listening devices by or on behalf of the internal Investigations Unit is expressly approved by her? If not, can she assure the house that no listening devices are currently used or utilised, by either the internal Investigations Unit or any agency contractor of that service?
MS FOLLETT: I think I should make it clear at the start that the Investigations Unit is part of the management of the public sector. It is not a legislated body; it is not a statutory body in those terms. It is a body that comes under the general management of my department rather than of me directly.
Mr Jensen: What a cop-out!
MS FOLLETT: Mr Jensen thinks that is funny. I fail to see the humour of it. It is a fact. Mr Collaery's question about listening devices is one that has not been brought to my attention before. I should give him an assurance that actions by the Investigations Unit are required to be
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