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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 11 Hansard (20 October) . . Page.. 3377 ..

Mr Kaine (continuing):

before. In considering the matter, Mr Speaker, I would refer your attention to 117(h), which does not deal with whether a question has been asked before but whether it has been fully answered, and I emphasise the words "fully answered" which appear in the standing order.

It raises the question of whether a Minister, having been asked a question, can get up and say what he or she likes and not answer the question, and then sit down and say, "But the question has been fully answered". That is one point. I am referring to the Hansard where the Chief Minister claimed the question was out of order and you said you would check to see whether the question had been asked. I submit that that is not the question that you should be looking at, but the main point is: Have you had an opportunity yet to look at that?

MR SPEAKER: I will also take on board what you have just said, Mr Kaine. The answer to your question is no, I have not yet, but I promise to get back to you no later than tomorrow.

MR STEFANIAK: Last week I took a question on notice from Mr Osborne. The question was: "Is it true that the family services branch is establishing a database of foster carers? What consultation was undertaken with foster carers? Who will have access and what privacy measures are being taken?".

Mr Speaker, a new computerised client database will be introduced into Family Services before the end of this year. This will replace the existing database which is not year 2000 compliant. Currently, substitute care services in Family Services holds a paper file record for each carer family in the Family Services foster care program. These contain personal details, assessment and review reports, and file notes of contacts with the support worker. The files are accessed by foster care staff and foster care managers only, as needed, and are stored in a secure environment. These files will not be entered onto the new database. The only personal information relating to foster carers on the database will be the name of the foster carer and the placement address on the child's file. This is secured to Family Services staff only. The Foster Carers Association and the agencies providing foster care will be briefed on this matter at their next regular meeting with Family Services in November.

MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, I have two additional pieces of information. The first is for Mr Hargreaves and relates to the block at Torrens. The application was approved with conditions on 2 May 1999 and amended plans were required. It has been assessed that no change of use charge is payable. The proponent has been given a draft new lease and is considering this lease at the moment. If they accept that lease they will surrender the old lease and register the new one. The lease is for the purpose of building eight single residential units.

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