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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 1 Hansard (30 April) . . Page.. 242 ..

COOOL Project

MR MOORE: At question time yesterday, following a motion passed by this house, Mr Wood asked me about developments with relation to Canberra's Own Options of Living project. I have made a series of decisions on that issue this morning. Those decisions are in writing, and I table copies of a series of letters - a letter I wrote to Mr Matthew Maurer, who is an advocate for some of the people; advice from ACT Community Care in relation to their capacity to undertake the task - I have authorised them to proceed; a letter by me to Ms Rosemary Follett, Discrimination Commissioner, this morning; and my letter to Ms Heather McGregor, Community Advocate, asking that she monitor what is going on now about the development of the issue. Just to clarify the timing on that, my advice from ACT Community Care is that they expect that they will have the first people in a Fisher house in about eight weeks, and people in a second Fisher house in about 10 weeks. I hope that when members look at that advice they will see that that does appear to be the fastest that we can operate. I still find it slow and I will be encouraging them to see whether they can work even faster than that. It was my judgment, on the advice I had, that to use any other option would have extended the period significantly beyond that time; so I determined this morning to proceed in this fashion.

MR WOOD: I seek leave to make a short statement.

Leave granted.

MR WOOD: Yesterday I asked, through that motion the Assembly supported, that the matter be treated with urgency. It clearly has been treated with urgency. I cannot argue that point; and I note it. Yesterday Mr Moore indicated that it could be a prolonged process; and today he has taken steps to shorten it. I will look with interest at the documents he has tabled. It is clear that he has rejected earlier processes and has set something new in place. I will be very interested to see how that goes.

TEMPORARY DEPUTY SPEAKERS

MR SPEAKER: I wish to inform the Assembly that, pursuant to standing order 8, I have nominated Mr Berry, Mr Hird and Ms Tucker as Temporary Deputy Speakers. They will take the chair when requested by either me or the Deputy Speaker, Mr Wood. I present my warrant nominating Mr Berry, Mr Hird and Ms Tucker.

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