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

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 12 Hansard (13 November) . . Page.. 3537 ..

MR QUINLAN (continuing):

results are extremely encouraging and indicate that they are having immediate effect on the criminal community. Members will have read about a recent warrant executed on a home in Oaks Estate that resulted in the seizure of approximately a quarter of a million dollars worth of stolen property.

I am also advised that, since the commencement of Operation Halite, it has resulted in the arrest of 22 individuals and the laying of over 80 charges, including burglary, handling stolen property, drug offences and many others. This level of activity is reflected in the numbers that have been received in the remand centre, and it is as well that we do have an ancillary campus for the remand centre all but open right now.

The AFP also will announce today the seizure of a large quantity of heroin as a direct result of operations under Operation Halite. The immediate impact on the criminal community can be measured by the fact that burglaries have fallen from a high of 181 recorded in the week ending 8 September to 129 last week, a figure comparable with figures recorded during and immediately after Operation Anchorage.

Obviously a great deal of work is still to be done. However, these are encouraging figures that point to effective intelligence-led policing and outstanding teamwork. The AFP has been able to take the initiative and I am confident that they will continue to produce similar results.

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

University of Canberra-fraud allegations

MR STANHOPE: Yesterday, in response to a question from Ms Tucker in relation to the University of Canberra, I undertook to provide some additional information. I did in the adjournment debate yesterday clarify some ambiguity in the answer that I gave at the conclusion of question time. I have now sought more formal advice in relation to the issues that went to the supplementary question that Ms Tucker asked, as a result of which there has been further communication between the Chief Minister's Department and the University of Canberra today. As a result of that communication, the vice chancellor of the University of Canberra has written to the Chief Minister's Department in the following terms:

Re public interest disclosure

On behalf of the University of Canberra I confirm that the ACT Public Interest Disclosure Act 1994 applies to the university.

I understand that the point of the supplementary question that Ms Tucker asked was about the relevance of the date of 15 May, which was included in an earlier letter from the University of Canberra to the Ombudsman. The point that has been made to me in relation to that, that is made by the university to the Chief Minister's Department, is that until that time the university had held the view that the act did not apply.

It sought, in its reference to the date of 15 May, to avoid any ambiguity in relation to the date of commencement of its responsibilities in relation to the receipt of any further disclosures made under the act by referencing the date of receipt of the advice.

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