Page 3369 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 17 August 2010
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MR STANHOPE: Thank you, Mr Coe. This is an issue that I have asked officers and officials to pursue today, and to pursue with some vigour, most particularly in relation to what I have to say, quite frankly, were quite alarmist reports broadcast by the ABC last night around numerous complaints that had been made to government to which the government did not respond. I have had all agencies across the ACT government today pursuing those allegations aired by the ABC last night.
I am advised, in relation to this particular site, these particular works and this particular company, or contractor and subcontractor, that, over the course of this particular work, one complaint had been received—a single complaint—and not a complaint addressed to the contractor. That complaint was received on 3 June and the complaint was fully investigated by WorkSafe. It was a complaint from the CFMEU—one, a single complaint, from the CFMEU—on 3 June, referred to WorkSafe ACT. WorkSafe ACT inspectors visited the site and, consequent on their complaint, identified several issues that they believed did require rectification at the site. One of those was the placement of an electrical lead; one was about the need to remove excess gas bottles from the site; and the third related to the need to rectify a barrier to prevent falls from the site.
I have asked for continuing investigations by all agencies that might possibly receive complaints, but at this stage the only complaint that we can identify is that single complaint, none of the issues of which went to the structural issues which we are now investigating.
I do propose to invite the ABC to provide me with any evidence that they have to justify their broadcast last night, and we are similarly inviting the CFMEU to provide us with the basis of their claims.
Bimberi Youth Justice Centre—drugs
MS HUNTER: My question is to the Minister for Children and Young People and is with regard to Bimberi. Minister, can you confirm that two young people overdosed on someone else’s medication within the Bimberi Youth Justice Centre last month?
MS BURCH: I am aware of various incidents happening at Bimberi. Without going into the detail—and I am sure the member would appreciate the level of detail that I can go to in this place, but I am quite happy to offer a briefing—there was an incident that involved one child accessing medication. They were treated. There were no ill consequences, and certainly all policies and procedures have been reviewed to make sure that that does not happen again.
MR SPEAKER: Ms Hunter, a supplementary question?
MS HUNTER: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Minister, how is it possible that one resident was able to obtain another resident’s medication, and what procedures broke down that allowed this to happen?
MS BURCH: It is unfortunate. It is a flaw in procedure rather than a lack of procedure, but it is something that we have gone back to and looked at quite closely.
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