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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 4 Hansard (11 April) . . Page.. 1008 ..

Funding for ParentLine

MS TUCKER: Mr Speaker, my question is to Mr Corbell. It is regarding the worrying lack of certainty about funds for the service of ParentLine. ParentLine was established by the previous government in a partnership which included substantial funding from the NRMA. I was concerned, at the time, about the long-term viability of this sort of funding arrangement.

I understand there is currently a delay in the NRMA's decision as to whether or not to commit to continue to fund this service. What is your government's position on this issue? Are you going to fund this service if the NRMA no longer so desires?

MR CORBELL: Mr Speaker, I am not aware of the issue Ms Tucker has raised. I will take the question on notice and get some details back to her as soon as possible.

MS TUCKER: I ask a supplementary question on the general issue. I do not know whether you will be able to answer this question. I have written to you about this-about three or four weeks ago. I can look that up.

As a more general question, my supplementary question is: what is the Labor government's position on this sort of funding arrangement, where you have an essential service funded basically by the private sector?

MR SPEAKER: If this involves the announcement of executive policy, I think you run foul of the standing orders.

MR CORBELL: Mr Speaker, I will be cautious in my answer. Obviously, the issue Ms Tucker has raised is one of significant concern. If important services are subject to funding through private sponsorship arrangements, there is always the possibility which appears to have arisen in the case raised by Ms Tucker. Clearly, these are issues the government will need to revisit.

This was an arrangement put in place by the previous government. We will need to revisit the circumstances of that decision and ascertain whether or not the current arrangements, as put in place by the previous government, are still appropriate. I will certainly endeavour to look at that closely, as a result of Ms Tucker raising the matter with me. I will get back to her as soon as possible.

Tuggeranong Community Council

MR PRATT: My question is to the Chief Minister. My colleague and fellow Brindabella representative Mr Smyth received a letter from the Tuggeranong Community Council that says, if I may paraphrase the four salient issues:

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