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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 4 Hansard (16 April) . . Page.. 909 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

I would welcome some scrutiny of the Remand Centre and of the way in which we deal with the whole of our corrections policy in the ACT. I am not sure what the appropriate format would be, but I would be very happy to discuss that with members to see how we would generate that. I think it is appropriate for us to await the Coroner's findings in this particular case, because they may point to some problems that we need to address in a larger context. That being said, I believe that when those findings are available we should move on them quickly if they point to some structural changes that need to be addressed.

I hope, Mr Speaker, that we can provide for better industrial arrangements at the Remand Centre. There was an industrial dispute there in the middle of last year. I am pleased to say that since that time there have been fruitful negotiations between the management and the unions at the Remand Centre. I am advised that an enterprise bargaining agreement is likely to be arrived at soon which will address some of the concerns about the Remand Centre. The cost of housing a detainee there is something like double the Australian average, which partly reflects the building itself, because it is extremely badly designed and costly to run, and partly reflects work practices which have been in force there for some time. I hope that we can deal with the latter issue, and that we can, in due course, deal with the former issue too.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill agreed to in principle.

Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.

Bill agreed to.

Debate resumed from 14 December 1995, on motion by Mr Stefaniak:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

MS McRAE (11.48): Mr Speaker, one of the very good things about the University of Canberra has always been its close identification with the people of the ACT. In the fields of computer education, communication, languages other than English and management it has offered thousands of Canberrans the opportunity not only to gain an excellent first qualification but also to keep improving their qualifications during their careers. As such, it has an affectionate and strong place in the hearts of Canberra. Many a Canberran has chosen the University of Canberra for a place to go to retrain completely as well, in the field of either nursing or teaching, when perhaps they have had a mid-career change, so it serves as a very constructive place in our community, not only for school leavers but for all people in the ACT.

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