Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 6 Hansard (16 May) . . Page.. 1725 ..

University of Canberra

MR STANHOPE: Mr Speaker, yesterday I received a question from Ms Tucker in relation to certain issues of concern at the University of Canberra. In the answer I gave to Ms Tucker in relation to issues around whether or not the Public Interest Disclosure Act applied to the University of Canberra, I advised the Assembly that the advice that I had was that the Public Interest Disclosure Act does not apply to the university. That is not the view of the Australian Capital Territory Government Solicitor, and I was incorrect to that extent. It is the view of the university, and this is one of the issues of dissension between the university and those with which it is engaged in the particular issue. I regret that I transposed my advice in relation to that. To clarify the issue for all members, I would like to table the legal advice which has been received on this complex issue. I present the following paper:

Public Interest Disclosure Act 1994-University of Canberra Union-copy of letter to Acting Director Public Sector Management Group, Chief Minister's Department, from ACT Government Solicitor, dated 6 May 2002.

Traffic and parking infringement notices

MR WOOD: Mrs Cross asked me yesterday about the budget estimate for income from traffic infringement notices and parking infringement notices and the year to date revenue. I have figures for the revenue as at 30 April. The revenue for parking infringement notices was $5,697,026, with traffic infringement notices revenue being $8,414,366. As you were advised yesterday, the information on revenue is available at page 107 of Budget Paper No 3.

Rental housing

MR WOOD: Ms Dundas pointed out in a question she asked me yesterday that the Residential Tenancies Tribunal is funded by interest from tenants' bond money. She asked me why this money is not recovered from landlords who also use the tribunal.

The answer is that the use of the word "landlord" is now out of date and the word is "lessors". In the ACT, both tenants and lessors contribute to the cost of the Residential Tenancies Tribunal. The tribunal is funded from two sources-interest from the trust account, under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997, and from application fees for hearings made by lessors. So there is a contribution from each side, if I can put it that way.

The cost of the tribunal in 2000/01 was $367,000. There was $194,000 in interest from moneys in the trust account; and $176,000 from the cost of applications, the majority of which-not every last one but almost all-are by lessors.

Personal explanations

MR HUMPHRIES (Leader of the Opposition): Mr Speaker, under standing order 46, I seek leave to make a personal explanation.

Leave granted.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .