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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 04 Hansard (Tuesday, 30 March 2004) . . Page.. 1286 ..

which, on any interpretation, the government did not have a legal obligation to meet or pay for.

The government has been enormously generous in its contribution to rural fences. We are seeking to regularise the position concerning rural fences and rural leases as a result of a mishmash developed over the years in relation to leases and the conditions in leases relating to fencing.

MR CORNWELL: I have a supplementary question. Why are you making rural lessees take sole responsibility for future repairs to shared boundaries between their properties and ACT government land? I quote:

Upon completion of the repair work fencing that is not already your responsibility and property is to become your and any subsequent owner’s responsibility and property.

Are you making provision for the next fire?

MR STANHOPE: Mr Cornwell’s question misunderstands the basis of ownership of fencing on leasehold land. There has been considerable taxpayer funded repair to rural fences—we are talking about $3½ million to $4 million worth of fencing paid for by the ACT ratepayer to rural leaseholders.

We are talking about up to $4 million worth of contribution by the ACT ratepayer to rural fences—a very significant contribution and expenditure by the government on behalf of the ratepayers to rural lessees for the repair and replacement of burnt fences. This is a very, very significant contribution that goes to the repair and replacement of fences, which on any interpretation the government did not have a legal obligation to meet or pay for.

The government has been enormously generous in its contributions to rural fences. We are seeking to regularise the position concerning rural fences and rural leases as a result of a mishmash developed over the years in relation to leases and the conditions in leases relating to fencing.

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

Supplementary answers to questions without notice

Belconnen bus interchange

MR CORBELL: At question time today, Ms Dundas asked me about the consultant’s review of social and cultural activity in Belconnen. I can advise members that the statement in that draft report is incorrect and the government still proposes to locate the new Belconnen bus interchange facilities to the west of the Belconnen Mall. I trust that will be corrected in the final copy of the report.

Condoms in schools

MS GALLAGHER: Last sitting week, Ms Dundas asked me a question about the availability of condoms in schools and whether condoms were being handed out by

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