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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 10 Hansard (24 November) . . Page.. 2792 ..

Mr Wood: Mr Speaker, I am happy to repeat the question, and Mr Humphries might pass it back to the Chief Minister.

MR SPEAKER: Never mind that. Just get on with asking the question again, please.

MR WOOD: I refer to the annual report of the Community Advocate, which draws attention to the considerable overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people detained in Quamby. The question specifically is: What actions are being taken to improve those circumstances in the ACT - so this is a social issue, a policy issue - which bring about such high rates of detention? That is the question.

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, having listened to the question, I have to say that I do think it is a question that is properly directed to me, both because - - -

Mr Wood: No, it is not. I want to know what policies are in place.

MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Humphries has decided that he wishes to answer the question.

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I am responsible for the Community Advocate's work, at least in respect of such matters.

Mr Wood: That has nothing to do with it. I was using that as evidence of what was happening.

MR SPEAKER: Mr Humphries is going to answer your question.

Mr Wood: No, he is not going to answer the question, because it is not related to what I am asking.

MR SPEAKER: He is going to get to his feet and give an answer to your question.

Mr Wood: No.

Mr Kaine: Why doesn't he pass it down to Bill Stefaniak? He would answer it.

Mr Wood: That might be a better idea.

MR SPEAKER: Let him proceed. Otherwise, I will sit Mr Humphries down and you will not get an answer at all.

Mr Wood: He might as well sit down, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: Very well. Thank you.

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