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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 09 Hansard (Thursday, 19 August 2004) . . Page.. 3924 ..

Of course, in the last week or so that has been severely hampered and tampered with, and there are now questions about how that process will continue considering the fact that some very public statements have been made and there has been some media scrutiny. We are taking legal advice on that. I have answered your question, Mr Cornwell. That was the information I was given.

MR CORNWELL: Mr Speaker, I have a supplementary question. Why did Mr Quinlan make this announcement about an appointment by your department of an investigator to look into serious allegations of impropriety by your department? Whether or not you had been briefed on the matter, why did Mr Quinlan make the announcement?

MS GALLAGHER: My understanding is that he was asked a question. Today the Australian said that the department had commenced an investigation following the revelations in the Australian. The article is completely incorrect. The investigation has been under way for some time. I understand that Mr Quinlan was asked the question. He is the minister responsible for procurement solutions, and it does cover procurement solutions as well as the department of education. There is no conspiracy; Mr Quinlan just answered a question.

Emergency Services Authority—CAD system

MR HARGREAVES: My question is to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services. I noticed that yesterday you launched a new computer-aided dispatch or CAD system at the Emergency Services Authority. What does that mean for emergency services in the ACT?

MR WOOD: It means a lot for emergency services but it means a lot more for the people of the ACT. They can now be assured of a much better response time when any sort of emergency arises, whether it be a call for an ambulance or a fire engine for bushfire or emergency services.

Mr Pratt: It is three years too late, Minister.

MR WOOD: This is something that the former government never thought about or did anything about. This government has put this system in place.

Mr Stanhope: Seven years of neglect.

Mr Smyth: It is not even in the budget.

MR WOOD: This government has had to pick up a number of things in the emergency services area because the former government did practically nothing.

MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Wood has the call.

MR WOOD: Mr Pratt, by way of interjection, asked a stupid question but he got a very good answer.

Mr Pratt: I did not ask the question; Mr Hargreaves did.

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