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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 14 Hansard (12 December) . . Page.. 4513 ..

Answers to questions

Fireworks industry

(Question No 300)

Ms Dundas asked the Attorney-General, upon notice, on 12 November 2002:

In relation to the regulation of the fireworks industry and the statement by the Minister for Industrial Relations in his answer to Question on Notice No. 107 (14) regarding the amounts of compensation and/or damages of these claims stated that "One matter has been finalised. The finalised matter was found in favour of the Government".

(1) Does this answer the original question as to the amounts of compensation and/or damages of these claims.

(2) Could you please provide information on what are the total amount of compensation and/or damages of these claims or the estimated amounts.

(3) Are there any contingency plans in the Government's budgetary process to cover the costs of this litigation and any resultant damages ordered by the courts.

Mr Corbell: As this question relates specifically to an answer to a question on notice that I tabled, the Attorney-General has referred the question to me. The answer to the member's question is as follows:

(1) Does this answer the original question as to the amounts of compensation and/or damages of these claims.

You asked in Question on Notice No. 107 (14), referring to civil actions commenced by the ACT fireworks industry, "What are the amounts of compensation and/or damages of these claims?"

The question was worded ambiguously. I understood the question to refer to amounts of compensation or damages that had been awarded by the courts. In my answer, I replied that only one matter had been finalised before the courts. As the matter was resolved in favour of the Government, obviously no compensation or damages were awarded to the claimant.

(2) Could you please provide information on what are the total amount of compensation and/or damages of these claims or the estimated amounts.

The Government believes that it has a good defence to each of the outstanding civil claims lodged by members of the fireworks industry. If the matters are resolved in favour of the Government, it will not be required to pay any compensation or damages.

Although your question is ambiguous, it has been assumed that you are seeking information about damages sought by members of the fireworks industry under civil claims against the Government. I am advised by the relevant officers within the Government Solicitor's Office handling the claims that the following amounts of compensation or damages have been sought:

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