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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 1 Hansard (17 February) . . Page.. 238 ..
MR MOORE (continuing):
continue working. There are many experts who tell us how to do it, but in the end the fundamental issue is providing the support, ideas and direction to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Forum, then allowing it to make decisions on how it wishes to proceed with the health plans, and what resources it believes it is appropriate for us to provide.
So, Mr Speaker, I look forward to working with the committee in whatever way I can, not only by offering my assistance and the assistance of my office, but also that of the Department of Health and Community Care. We will ensure that we provide whatever help we can to the committee, so that we can work together to assist in dealing with this very difficult issue.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
MR OSBORNE (11.28): Mr Speaker, I move:
That the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety inquire into and report on the adequacy of arrangements for ACT community policing with particular reference to:
(1) community perceptions;
(2) outcomes, accountability and value for money;
(3) police morale;
(4) policing priorities and resource allocation;
(5) police numbers;
(6) police training needs; and
(7) any related matter.
The committee of this Assembly and its predecessor, the Legal Affairs Committee, were always intrigued by the issue of police numbers and police accountability. This committee has agreed unanimously to conduct this inquiry, which I think is long overdue. For many years we have been hearing stories about police numbers and just what we are getting for the amount of money we pay the Commonwealth, and at various times we have heard stories about federal police being transferred on 29 June and back again on 1 July. So there are obviously issues that do need to be looked at - the issues of accountability and police numbers on the ground.
I understand that a new arrangement between the Commonwealth and the ACT is very close to being signed, if not already signed. Mr Speaker, the committee does not intend to delay that process, because it has been a long, drawn-out one. The timing of this inquiry is good because we will be able to look fully at what we are actually getting from the Commonwealth in the new agreement. I do not think anyone in this place would disagree with the fact that previous arrangements were less than adequate. We pay significantly more than the Commonwealth for police in the Territory, yet the reality is that we have no real say or influence over that very police force. I am not sure what
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