Page 2997 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 14 September 1993
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MR CONNOLLY: I thank Mrs Grassby for the question. Members would recall that we discussed this in private members business last sittings and the Assembly noted that this was a good concept. I can now give some details in terms of numbers. To date some 1,260 smoke detectors have been installed by the Fire Brigade as a result of this free installation policy. They were purchased by individuals in the various stores around Canberra and installed by the brigade gratis. A further 108 are on the list to be installed in private homes, and 210 are on a separate list that has been worked up for installation in aged persons units as a separate exercise. So, Madam Speaker, very shortly we will have installed some 1,500 smoke detectors in a quite short period of time. The Fire Brigade is so pleased with this program that it will continue it until further notice. We hope that even more people will take part in that exercise.
Supply and Tender Agency
MR WESTENDE: Madam Speaker, my question is addressed to the Chief Minister. In the 1992-93 ACT budget it was stated that a Supply and Tender Agency would be established to assist local business to take full advantage of the opportunities to competitively supply goods and services to the Government. However, to date, many private sector companies have not even been given the opportunity to tender. My question to the Chief Minister is: How many staff have been allocated? What is the cost to the community of running such an agency?
MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, the Supply and Tender Agency falls within the portfolio responsibilities of Mr Connolly, so I will refer the question to him.
MR CONNOLLY: Madam Speaker, I will get a detailed answer, in terms of precisely what has been spent and how, to Mr Westende as soon as possible.
Furniture Store - Acton Peninsula
MR KAINE: I would like to direct a question to Mr Connolly, the Minister for Urban Services. Is it the Government's intention that the ACT government furniture store will be transferred from its site in Fyshwick to a site on the Acton Peninsula?
MR CONNOLLY: Mr Kaine raises an interesting question. There was a view that we need not continue with a furniture store; but, on mature reflection in the Minister's office, the view now is that we will continue with a furniture store and develop more concrete policies for recycling of furniture within the ACT Government. It may well appear that we are perhaps throwing out furniture that need not be thrown out and purchasing new furniture when we could be making good use of existing ACT government owned furniture. The ACT furniture store for some years now has occupied rented premises at Fyshwick which have a quite considerable annual rent component. That lease expires this year, or was to expire, and the intention is that we will vacate those leased premises and move the furniture store in the interim to government owned premises, and premises have been identified at Acton.
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