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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 13 Hansard (21 November) . . Page.. 3919 ..

MR WOOD (continuing):

I further understand, Mr Cornwell, directly in answer to your question, that Total Facilities Management came in on 1 July last year, under the Liberal government. I assume that the call centre has established that the "now" means 18 months ago. That is the advice I have.

MR CORNWELL: I thank Mr Wood for that most comprehensive reply in relation to one complaint. Minister, will you review the maintenance programs in place, consistent with your commitment here on Tuesday, particularly the communications difficulties that Transfield appear to have imposed? They are accepting only maintenance requests by telephone, which obviously disadvantages people who are deaf or have other difficulties. They are being directed to get their carers to contact Transfield. I do not regard that as a satisfactory alternative.

MR WOOD: I will get back to you on that. It is my understanding that it is pretty simple to make a claim, but I will again check it through thoroughly for you, Mr Cornwell.

Convention on the Rights of the Child-report

MS DUNDAS: My question is for the minister for youth, Minister Corbell. Minister, has the ACT contributed-and, if so, what has been the nature of that contribution-to Australia's combined second and third report under the Convention on the Rights of the Child?

MR CORBELL: I am not aware of the ACT making a contribution. I will need to check that and advise Ms Dundas accordingly. Matters in relation to international conventions are the responsibility of the Commonwealth government. All states and territories are consulted by the Commonwealth on the Commonwealth's proposed approach to such conventions, and we contribute from time to time on working parties and to other processes that look at these sorts of issues. Ultimately, the decision about whether or not a convention is accepted, ratified or endorsed is a matter for the Commonwealth government. I will certainly get back to you, Ms Dundas, with information on whether or not the ACT is contributing financially to this process.

MS DUNDAS: I was not looking for financial information but written information on the state of ACT meeting our requirements under the federation's commitment to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Minister, could you inform us whether we are meeting our requirements?

MR CORBELL: My apologies, Ms Dundas. I misunderstood your question. I am confident that the ACT is well advanced in meeting its obligations in this regard. Indeed, in relation to all international treaties, the ACT government has a progressive approach. Whether or not there is detailed acquittal of the territory's obligations and how they are met are matters on which I will seek advice from the department and provide information to Ms Dundas.

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