Page 5456 - Week 15 - Tuesday, 8 December 2009
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Multicultural affairs—ministerial decisions
MR HANSON: My question is to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. Minister, are you or your department reviewing any decisions made by your predecessor?
MS BURCH: No.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Hanson, a supplementary question?
MR HANSON: Mr Speaker, yes. Minister, can you categorically rule out that your department has given consideration to removing the statue of Al Grassby from its current location?
MS BURCH: At this moment I am not giving it any consideration.
MR SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Doszpot?
MR DOSZPOT: Yes, Mr Speaker. Minister, do you stand by the decision of the previous Minister for Multicultural Affairs regarding the commissioning of the Al Grassby statue and its placement in the foyer of the Theo Notaras centre?
MS BURCH: Yes.
Alexander Maconochie Centre—infection rates
MS BRESNAN: My question is to the Minister for Health. It is about the Alexander Maconochie Centre and blood-borne viruses. I understand that the ACT government is looking to collect over 18 months data about blood-borne virus infection rates of remandees and detainees. Minister, can you please advise us whether all remandees and detainees are tested for blood-borne viruses on release or exit from the AMC? If not, why not?
MS GALLAGHER: My understanding is that they are tested on arrival at the AMC through the routine medical assessment that they go through. Is that the question you were asking? It is voluntary. It is run by ACT Health within the corrections framework. It is an individual-based decision on the type of care they are after and the treatment they are provided with, based on what their own medical needs are and what their own desires are.
MR SPEAKER: Ms Bresnan, a supplementary question?
MS BRESNAN: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Minister, is it possible for the government to take action so that it can test all remandees and detainees upon release and, if it is possible, how is the government advancing implementation of this?
MS GALLAGHER: This is one of those issues that requires a lot of work in consultation, indeed, with individual residents themselves. It is very hard to compel anyone to undergo any kind of medical procedure or testing if they object to it. They are, I think, some of the issues that Health and corrections will work through as we
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