Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 7 Hansard (26 June) . . Page.. 2283 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

and I would appreciate some suggestions from those in this place as to where that money might come from. I do not expect to be bowled over with suggestions, but I would appreciate some idea. Now that we have passed the budget, I do not have the capacity to appropriate more money, and I would like some suggestions about where the money is to come from to pay for that position. The cost, with overheads, would be something in the order of $100,000, and I would appreciate members' suggestions.

MR WOOD (9.36): Mr Speaker, if the VOCAL person is to be the domestic violence project coordinator, I am sure that person, particularly the current one who has some expertise in this area, will occupy a pivotal position or the pivotal position that the Minister was talking about, but it need not be the chair. The Minister very kindly has written to me asking me for the names of any people I think it would be appropriate to appoint to that committee, and I will be writing back to him indicating, among others, the name of that person appointed to look after VOCAL. That person can, and no doubt will, play an important enough role. So we are not wiping that off at all. It is up to the Minister now to see whether he wants to appoint that person to the Domestic Violence Prevention Council.

Earlier today we had the case of the Minister threatening that if we did not do something the Commonwealth might not provide some funds. That was in respect of work out at Tidbinbilla if we did not pass the entrance fee. That is just nonsense. It was nonsense then - Mr Corbell showed that - and it is nonsense now. The Minister cannot even stand up here and guarantee that there will be Commonwealth funds to fund a domestic violence project coordinator. There may be funds flowing as a result of some activity, but there is no guarantee that there is a cent available anywhere. If the Minister did find that there were some funds coming, or if there are funds there, and let us hope there are, if he went to the Commonwealth and said, "We have provisions for a domestic violence project coordinator and we cannot fund it at this stage", he would have a great case - a case as strong then as it would be if this was not written into the legislation. This is an important provision and I am pleased that the Assembly appears likely to support it.

Amendments agreed to.

Clause, as amended, agreed to.

Title agreed to.

Bill, as amended, agreed to.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .