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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 1 Hansard (15 February) . . Page.. 246 ..

MR MOORE: I will take that question on notice, Mr Wood, and I will investigate to what extent that is the case. At one of my early meetings with the department after I took on this responsibility, I explained that this would be the methodology for dealing with SAAP. I am keen to make sure that we do not delay money getting into the community. I think that is the nub of what you are saying. The methodology I have used within health has been a very positive way of delivery. That is the methodology I intend to use. However, if a promise has been made to somebody by Mr Stefaniak, of course I will respect that.

Neighbourhood watch

MR BERRY: My question is to the minister for police. I understand that the Tattersalls sponsorship of neighbourhood watch has been halved this year and that the association is seeking $15,000 from the ACT government to make up the shortfall. Does the minister agree that neighbourhood watch plays a role in crime prevention in the ACT? Can he explain why there is no mention in the document that revealed the Chief Minister's bits and pieces of draft budget initiatives of any move to redress the neighbourhood watch sponsorship shortfall?

MR SMYTH: I think that everyone in this place understands that neighbourhood watch plays a role in building up a stronger community, a safer community, and that safe communities are those that do work together, so sponsorship of a group such as neighbourhood watch is of concern. It is unfortunate that Tattersalls have sought to reduce their funding of it.

In regard to Mr Berry's question, he will not find it in there because grant funding is not announced in the initiatives of a budget.

MR BERRY: I have a supplementary question. Is it not true that the government's attitude to neighbourhood watch in its current predicament is that neighbourhood watch can sink or swim?

Mr Smyth: No.

MR BERRY: It has left them to their own devices. It has just abandoned them.

MR SPEAKER: That is an expression of opinion. The supplementary question is out of order.

Motor vehicle registrations

MR RUGENDYKE: My question is to Mr Smyth as the minister responsible for Urban Services and the police, which is convenient. Minister, recently I wrote to you seeking information on a bizarre proposal to revamp the motor vehicle registration process in the ACT and it was confirmed in your reply that from 1 March registration labels will be sent out with registration reminder notices prior to the registration being paid. You also confirmed in your response that there was some risk involved in that people may attach a label to their vehicle without payment.

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