Page 2058 - Week 06 - Thursday, 26 June 2008
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have spoken to the minister about this. Minister, can you update the Assembly on developments in this matter?
MS GALLAGHER: I thank Mrs Dunne for the question and also for contacting me to discuss this prior to question time.
I can give some general information that is public, but I do need to be conscious of the fact that there are matters before the court and also matters relating to the protection and privacy of the children involved. From the care and protection agency’s point of view—I cannot speak on behalf of ACT Policing—the department has had a long and constant involvement with this family for many years, dating back to 1998. That interaction has at times been weekly. In fact, in the last month there have been a couple of home visits. The children were seen last Wednesday. They were deemed to be in good health and being cared for. There was certainly no concern that warranted removal at that time.
These situations change fairly quickly, as they do with families that have a range of issues going on. Obviously, that has now changed and those children have been taken into care for the short term, whilst longer term arrangements are resolved, including discussions with their mother. Mrs Dunne, I am very happy to arrange a briefing for you on this matter so that you can be apprised of details that I am not in a position to discuss publicly.
Planning—Narrabundah long-stay caravan park
DR FOSKEY: My question is to the Attorney-General and it is in regard to mobile home legislation and the Narrabundah long-stay park. The attorney would be aware that now that the Narrabundah long-stay caravan park is back in the hands of the ACT government and being managed by Housing ACT it is time for putting the ownership and the management of the park on a long-term footing. Will the Attorney-General please advise the Assembly of his government’s time frame for exploring the range of models that might be appropriate, whether that exploration will involve active consultation with the residents and home owners in the Narrabundah park and what those models might be?
MR CORBELL: Could I ask Dr Foskey to clarify which particular legislative reform she is suggesting needs to be addressed?
MR SPEAKER: Would you care to do that, Dr Foskey?
DR FOSKEY: My supplementary question is about the legislation. My substantive question is about exploring the range of models for ownership, whether it might be cooperative housing or community housing. There are two lots of legislation involved: one is the legislation that institutes the ownership of the park in somebody and the management thereof, and my supplementary question is going to be about ensuring long-term security for residents in mobile home and caravan parks.
MR CORBELL: I thank Dr Foskey for the question. In relation to the first part of your question, Dr Foskey, I am not the responsible minister for determining what the ownership model will be at the long-stay caravan park. I am certainly responsible for
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