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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 12 Hansard (12 November) . . Page.. 3439 ..

MR STANHOPE (continuing):

reflects the complexity of a whole range of issues in relation to the enforcement of the law, and we do not resile from that. We do not have the gung-ho, redneck, hang 'em high, throw away the key attitude that you have. We do not believe that that enhances the enforcement of the law.

I have said often and I will continue to say that we will be as tough on crime and we will be as tough on criminals as you ever were, but we will do it in a way that acknowledges the complexity of a range of issues and in a way that respects some fundamental rights. There is a capacity to balance the competing imperatives of a tough and rigorous criminal justice system which respects some civil liberties and fundamental rights.

There are a whole range of adages in relation to the need for us to be very careful and jealous of the rights that have been accumulated and that are recognised as fundamental, and you do not throw them out in some sort of partisan, mindless pursuit of a particular constituency. I know that you are prone to it and I know that your side of politics is prone to it. I know that your heroes, Alan Jones and John Laws, are prone to it. But that does not mean responsible governance.

Adopt a road program

MR CORNWELL: My question is to Mr Wood as the Minister for Urban Services. The Northside Chronicle of 1 October contained a list of Canberra community groups affected by the public liability insurance crisis. It listed the ACT government's adopt a road program as being "in danger of closing because its insurance policy ceased on June 30". Minister, can you advise the Assembly whether the department has been successful in obtaining insurance coverage for the adopt a road program since that date? If not, can you advise the Assembly what is being done to obtain insurance for this program? Thirdly, has the minister obtained legal advice as to what would happen to a person who was injured after 30 June 2002 working on a section of a road if no insurance cover existed?

MR WOOD: As to the last bit, I have not obtained that sort of advice. There might be advice there somewhere, but I have not sought it. My memory tells me that there has been a deal of activity and it may have been settled. I will need to check for the last week or so to see what the outcome has been. I will confirm that for you one way or the other, Mr Cornwell. It is a program that we recognise as a good program. We want to keep it going and there were measures to try to do that. I will let you know what the outcome has been.

Mr Stanhope: I ask that further questions be placed on the notice paper.

University of Canberra-fraud allegations

MR STANHOPE: Ms Tucker asked me a question which I said I would take on notice in relation to the University of Canberra's preparedness to ensure that all issues are investigated or open to investigation by the Ombudsman and the Auditor-General. During question time, the Chief Minister's Department contacted the university and the university advised the department in that telephone conversation that it was always their intention that all documents would be available to both the Auditor-General and the

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