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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 12 Hansard (11 November) . . Page.. 3907 ..

MR MOORE (continuing):

It seems to me, Madam Deputy Speaker, when I come to these issues, that there are always very good arguments on both sides. They are the ones that cause me most stress and pain. But, in the end, we have a responsibility here to make a decision on such issues. In this case, my decision will be in favour of the legislation. I will support the legislation. I will support these clauses. But, in doing so, I just draw the attention of the Minister and of the person who will be the director, identified here, to the fact that as these issues come through the Standing Committee on Legal Affairs, as the Assembly becomes aware of them, I certainly, and my office, will be monitoring them very carefully - if, indeed, I am re-elected.

I would say, Minister, that you and other members should watch this very carefully. It cannot be something that is just for the convenience of staff in Quamby. It really must be something that is done for the welfare of all the individuals who are detained. One of the things that give me some confidence in this is the fact that notice is also given to the Chief Magistrate and to the Community Advocate. I will leave the Chief Magistrate for the minute. The role played by the Community Advocate in this area of the protection of children in our society, I think, has been significant. I believe that that provides yet another monitoring factor. I hope that, should this system be misused, the attention of the Assembly would be drawn to it and the matter then corrected.

Question put:

That the clauses be agreed to.

The Assembly voted -

AYES, 7	 	NOES, 6

Mrs Carnell	Mr Corbell
Mr Hird		Ms McRae
Mr Humphries	Ms Reilly
Mr Kaine	Ms Tucker
Mrs Littlewood	Mr Whitecross
Mr Moore	Mr Wood
Mr Stefaniak

Title agreed to.

Bill agreed to.

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