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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 7 Hansard (26 June) . . Page.. 2191 ..

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, yes and yes. I was approached by the North Canberra Community Council's Ms Joan Kellett, who will be familiar to Mr Moore. She put it to me that there was a need for further time to consider this proposal. The Government has allocated six weeks for the consideration of the plans. I have had a number of letters from other people about the B11 and B12 proposals and I do not think anybody else - either a community group or an individual - has argued for an extension of time. In my assessment, given the long time it has taken to reach the stage of being able to put something on the table, and particularly given that earlier versions of it and earlier work on it were put out to those groups as well for discussion, the six weeks is adequate.

MR MOORE: I have a supplementary question, Mr Speaker. Just to show there is not just the one person, I will make it clear that I have never discussed this matter of an extension with Ms Kellett. In fact, it was Dr Mac Dickins whom I spoke to on this matter, so that is at least two people. Considering that there are at least two people, two separate groups, who have sought an extension and whom this issue affects very clearly, will you now concede and grant an extension of time?

MR HUMPHRIES: To be perfectly frank, Mr Speaker, I have already considered this issue. I do not think Dr Dickins has put the question of an extension to me. I could be wrong about that; I cannot recall it. I have had a number of meetings with Dr Dickins in the last few weeks. Okay, there are two people who think they should have more time. That is not the tenor of most people's comments to me in respect of this matter.

Mr Moore: But it is the North Canberra Community Council and the Turner Residents Association.

MR HUMPHRIES: I attended a meeting last Saturday, as did Ms Reilly, of the Braddon Residents Association, and there were a variety of views expressed there. Certainly, some members of the association expressed to me support for the proposals, and in fact a desire for them to be implemented quickly. I am not sure that I would be picking up the flavour of most people's comments if I were to say that we need more time for it.

MS TUCKER: My question is for Mr Humphries. Mr Humphries, I understand that you are going to trial safety cameras in Civic. Can you tell the Assembly whether or not you are going to take on the recommendations of the Legal Affairs Committee, which looked into this matter, before you start the trial?

MR HUMPHRIES: Incidentally, you are anticipating discussion of something on the notice paper, which is probably contrary to standing orders; but I propose to present the Government response after question time. That response will make it clear that the Government accepts all the recommendations put by the committee except for two relating to the appointment of a privacy ombudsman before a trial can proceed and the enactment of legislation before a trial can proceed.

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