Mr Speaker

I present today the Government's Response to the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety's Report No 12 entitled "The 1999-00 Annual and Financial Reports of the Department of Justice and Community Safety and Related Agencies". While this report covers some portfolio responsibilities of my colleagues Mr Smyth and Mr Moore as well as some of my own, I shall be presenting the response on behalf of the Government.

Mr Speaker, the Government welcomes the Committee's Report. Of the 18 recommendations contained in the report, the Government is pleased to be able to support 15 of them. Of the remaining three recommendations, Recommendation 7 relating to the Annual Report of the Victims of Crime Co-ordinator, is noted and Recommendation 1 (ii) is relating to the provision of random breath test numbers in the AFP Annual Report is supported in part.

In fact, Mr Speaker, we disagree with only one recommendation, that being recommendation number eight relating to ACT residents who are affected by crimes which occurred outside the ACT. While the Government sympathises with those affected by such crimes it is our view that the most appropriate way of assisting is to put those victims in contact with the relevant interstate victims support service. This is already being done and the Victims of Crime Co-ordinator has provided the Committee with details of such arrangements.

In his presentation speech, Mr Speaker, the Committee Chair, Mr Osborne, made specific reference to recommendations 9, 11, 12 and 14. 1 am pleased to be able to advise that the Government has agreed to each of these recommendations.

Money has been set aside in the 2001-02 draft Capital Works program for a feasibility study for improvements at Quamby including a gymnasium and sports hall.

The Government is also committed to maintaining a very high standard of probity in relation to consultants used on the prison project and believes that appropriate measures are already in place.

We share Magistrate Madden's concerns about a range of youth issues and our response to Recommendation No 12 clearly indicates the action we have taken in relation to a range of matters.

While Recommendation No 14 is not technically a Justice and Community Safety responsibility. the Government Response also provides a comprehensive comment in relation to the Committee's concerns about the unmet need for drug rehabilitation programs in the Territory. Copies of two recent related publications have been provided to the Committee under separate cover.

As Mr Osborne noted at the time he presented the Committee's Report, the many of the recommendations in this report relate to information and information gathering. I am pleased to be able to advise that the Government supports each of the recommendations not specifically mentioned above.

Mr Speaker I thank the Committee for its Report and commend the Government's response to Members.