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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 11 Hansard (5 November) . . Page.. 3623 ..

MR MOORE (12.32): I support the sentiment in what Ms Reilly is saying. Unfortunately, this amendment is impractical in terms of the Assembly. Had it been to legislation it would have been entirely appropriate, but this Assembly's instructions apply only to the Government for the current sitting. The way the timing works is that this would not have any application after the election and, as such, would be redundant. That is why I want Mr Humphries's amendment put in.

Motion (by Mr Corbell) negatived:

That the debate be adjourned to a later hour this day.

MR SPEAKER: The question now is: That Ms Reilly's amendment to Mr Humphries's amendment to add paragraph (6) be agreed to.

MR BERRY (Leader of the Opposition) (12.33): Mr Speaker, I noticed the Chief Minister complaining about the amendment moved by Ms Reilly, which, of course, goes to the issue of forcing the Government - - -

Mr Moore: The Chief Minister has not said a word on it.

MR BERRY: I saw her interjecting. I am a little closer than you. Quite clearly - - -

Mr Humphries: It is all about Kate Carnell, is it not? Nothing else but Kate Carnell.

MR BERRY: This is about an amendment which will require the Government - - -

MR SPEAKER: Are you speaking to the amendment, Mr Berry?

MR BERRY: When I get a bit of clear airspace, Mr Speaker, yes. The amendment will require the Government to allocate the funding within a prescribed time. That is very important in the scheme of things because there are people out there waiting for resources to ensure that adequate treatment and care are provided to those in the community having difficulties with drugs. Ms Reilly put it forward in the context of the amendment which was moved by Mr Humphries, which went to the issue of supporting applications for funding from the Commonwealth's initiative for the establishment of a treatment facility for people under the age of 18 and for the conduct of alternative drug therapy programs. It is fine for the Assembly to support those sorts of applications, but it would be wrong to give the Government carte blanche to sit on the money for a significant period of time and for the treatment facilities not to be provided while the Government shillyshallies about the issue.

What I am saying is that this is a very important amendment and deserves the support of the Government and the crossbenches in order that any funding which is secured by way of supported applications finds its way into the right hands at the earliest possible moment. Mr Speaker, in that way the amendment moved by Mr Humphries would be complete and deserving of the support of the entire Assembly.

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