Page 4053 - Week 13 - Thursday, 6 December 2007

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Mr Speaker, members of the Assembly have been consulted about this sitting pattern. I am not advised of any major departures from what is proposed. Therefore, I endorse this sitting pattern for the next sitting year.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Leave of absence

Motion (by Mr Corbell) agreed to:

That leave of absence from 7 December 2007 to 11 February 2008 inclusive be given to all Members.

Standing orders—suspension

Motion (by Mr Corbell) agreed to, with the concurrence of an absolute majority:

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the adjournment debate for today continuing past 30 minutes.

Sitting suspended from 12.31 to 2.30 pm.

Questions without notice

Kangaroo cull

MR STEFANIAK: My question is to the Chief Minister and minister for the environment. The Department of Defence has hired contractors to cull kangaroos at Majura and Belconnen, at the Lawson site. My understanding is that the contractors will fire darts containing a cocktail of sedatives at kangaroos from close range. I am advised effectively that the ideal distance is about 25 metres. After that, you are likely to miss them.

I was told by one of our registered cullers that the drugs used are potentially lethal to humans. There are three types, the most lethal being epithane hydrodioxide. I am advised that, if someone who had a scratch were to pick that up and it got into the bloodstream, it could potentially kill them. I also understand that there are concerns that the contract cullers may not be properly trained. I ask you: what has the

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