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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 01 Hansard (Thursday, 12 February 2004) . . Page.. 280 ..

raising this—of the abuse of custody issues in our courts. In saying that, Mr Speaker, I am not attacking the judiciary. We know about the bias that is directed at this group of people. I do not know whether this could be addressed by a committee because I think it is a federal matter. Certainly, we have had a great many examples of the need for such an inquiry.

I must admit I am a little puzzled because Mr Hargreaves said that the reference was too broad and another committee member, Ms Dundas, said it was too narrow. I am in a little bit of confusion as to just what other members of the committee would regard as important. But I do know that it is reasonable and proper that this matter should have been introduced because it does refer to the status of fathers in the ACT.

Mrs Burke has mentioned the ACT in her motion. Indeed, it is high time this matter was investigated here because there is unquestionable bias in the ACT toward women. We have a disproportionate number of refuges for women as opposed to men. We have gone through this problem—

Mr Quinlan: There are a disproportionate number of women needing them, too.

MR CORNWELL: Just a moment. Ms Gallagher laughs. The fact is we have been pushing for a refuge for men on the south side for quite some considerable time. As far as I am aware, there is one only. That is correct, Mr Stefaniak, is it not?

Mr Stefaniak: Men with children, that’s right.

MR CORNWELL: Men with children, yes. One only. That is the point I am making. There are numerous refuges here in the ACT for women with children. We do need another refuge for men. I am not arguing—

Mr Hargreaves: Point of order, Mr Speaker. That very point was made in the debate on the inquiry into accommodation services for homeless men and their dependent children. So that is a reflection on a debate that has already taken place in this chamber.

MR CORNWELL: No it is not.

MR SPEAKER: I think it is—

MR CORNWELL: Thank you for your protection, Mr Speaker. I just make the point—

MR SPEAKER: I do not think you can rule out all reference to the matters if they are part of the debate.

MR CORNWELL: I just make the point about the imbalance, if you like, in terms of the refuges. As members are aware, Mrs Burke has already mentioned that there is an office of the status of women. There is not an office of the status of men. We have an international women’s year, which is much lauded. I keep asking: where is the international men’s year? Where is this even-handedness that I keep hearing about?

I am making this point just to highlight the apparent and, I would say, definite bias in this territory towards women. That is why I believe that this motion that Mrs Burke has put

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