Page 1296 - Week 05 - Thursday, 25 June 1992
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emergency services. It does expire shortly, and I can advise the Assembly that detailed discussions are going on between the two services as to options for the future. When I am in a position to make a decision, I will certainly let Mr Westende and the general public know.
Ms Follett: Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the notice paper.
Statement of Financial Transactions
MS FOLLETT: During question time Mr Kaine and Mr Humphries asked me about the quarterly financial statements required under the Audit Act. The statements for the December and March quarters were published in the ACT Special Gazette Nos S77 and S78. Copies of the Gazette were supplied at the time of publication to all members, so Mr Kaine and Mr Humphries should already have this information in their offices. As I said earlier, the Audit Act does not require that these statements be tabled; but, in the interests of making the details clear, I now table the relevant issues of the Gazette.
Revenue Increases
MS FOLLETT: I would like to add to an answer I gave yesterday to Mr De Domenico. It was actually in reply to the supplementary question. Mr De Domenico asked when I would table the results of the 90 per cent of fees and charges that have been set at the level of CPI. I add to my answer that the Government has decided that, in general, fees and charges across the Government Service should increase only by the CPI. In many cases, fees are simply increased administratively, and there is no requirement for them to be tabled in the Assembly. Those increases will take effect from 1 July. Where the power to levy a fee exists under an Act, the ministerial determinations are notified in the Gazette and are disallowable instruments requiring tabling in the Assembly. Accordingly, those instruments will be tabled by relevant Ministers within the requirements of the Subordinate Laws Act. I expect that, in the majority of cases, notification in the Gazette will be by 1 July.
Urine Test Costs
MR BERRY: Madam Speaker, yesterday Mrs Carnell asked a question which suggested that it costs $7 in New South Wales and $21, I think it was, in the ACT for urine tests. I said that I thought Mrs Carnell had chosen a best and worst case scenario to add a bit of colour to her question. I have looked into it and I have discovered that what I said then was true.
The ACT Government Analytical Laboratory conducts urine drug screening for several clients, including the Alcohol and Drug Service, and has been doing so for some 18 years. In July 1991 the laboratory instituted new methodology developed by laboratory staff utilising sophisticated techniques, which have resulted in charges for drug screening being reduced significantly. The laboratory now charges $15 per sample for the methadone program, which is well
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