Page 401 - Week 01 - Thursday, 17 February 2011
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the Minister for Ageing and the Minister for Multicultural Affairs (Question No 1334 redirected to the Minister for Disability, Housing and Community Services) upon notice, on 8 December 2010:
(1) What is the cost of legal advice in the Minister’s portfolio to date in 2010-11 and to which department or agency does this apply.
(2) What proportion is this of the 2010-11 Budget for legal advice for each department or agency in the portfolio.
(3) What was the purpose of the legal advice that has been received.
(4) How much of this has been for legal advice directly related to court cases.
(5) How much legal advice has been (a) used for the development of legislation and (b) provided ‘in-kind’.
Ms Burch: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) The Government Solicitor provides legal services free of charge to most agencies, including the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services (DHCS). Details of the Government Solicitor’s funding are found in the Territory’s Budget Paper for 2010-11.
Housing ACT has spent $102,647, including $91,481 to external providers on obtaining legal advice to date.
(2) There is no specific budget for legal advice for DHCS. The costs provided in response to question (1) represents 51% of Housing ACT’s legal budget for 2010-11,
(3) Legal advice is received on a range of matters for DHCS. Legal advice is sought on a range of matters for Housing ACT including litigation and compensation claims against the Commissioner for Social Housing.
(4) It is not practicable to disaggregate advice relating to court cases from the totality of advice provided as the focus of advice on a particular issue may change over time (eg commence as not relating to a court case, related to a court case, relate to negotiation).
(5) It is not practicable to readily identify legal advice relating to the development of legislation. Advice of this kind may come from the Government Solicitor, Parliamentary Counsel, agency policy staff or specialist agencies. It is not clear what “provided in kind” is intended to include.
Government—legal advice
(Question No 1332)
Mr Seselja asked the Minister for Business and Economic Development, upon notice, on 8 December 2010:
(1) What is the cost of legal advice in the Minister’s portfolio to date in 2010-11 and to which department or agency does this apply.
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