Page 2362 - Week 06 - Thursday, 23 June 2011
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to fix a problem. The report that the government commissioned by Mr Hamburger has actually found that Mr Buchanan was fixing that problem and if it were not for Mr Buchanan and if he did not continue, with the strong leadership that he was commended for, there will be safety issues. There will be security issues. So this is not simply about an individual. This is about the way the government has acted towards someone who is in a position of leadership and authority and, according to the government’s own report, was proving to be very effective.
Mr Buchanan wants this to come to light. That is what is quite clear. Mr Buchanan does not want to hide. Mr Buchanan does not want a cover-up. But what we have seen here in this Assembly today, and what we have seen in the course of the statements by Mr Corbell, is that he does want it covered up. Something has happened. There are allegations, there are rumours, there are statements, there is speculation. Something has happened, and the government wants to bury it as deep as it can. I think that if we are going to see open and accountable government in this place, we have an opportunity here to make sure that this is investigated appropriately.
If the government does not support this today and if the Greens do not support this today, then any pretence by Katy Gallagher as Chief Minister that this government is open, is accountable and is open to scrutiny is simply a myth.
MR CORBELL (Molonglo—Attorney-General, Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development, Minister for Territory and Municipal Services and Minister for Police and Emergency Services) (11.04): The government will not be supporting this grubby political grandstanding motion today.
I want to put a few facts on the record for the benefit of members, and I will restate to members what I previously said in the estimates committee hearings. The former acting superintendent was on secondment from Corrective Services New South Wales to ACT Corrective Services. As such, he was not an employee of the ACT public service. His secondment was initially only for a few months, but had been extended on a number of occasions with the agreement of Corrective Services New South Wales. It was never intended that the secondment continue indefinitely. In discussions with the Executive Director of ACT Corrective Services, it was agreed with the former acting superintendent that his secondment would not be further extended, and so it was brought to an end after 12 months.
I am also aware that a matter relating to the former acting superintendent was brought to the attention of the human rights commissioner and that she referred her concerns about this matter to ACT Policing. I understand the matter is currently still with ACT Policing, and I know nothing further about their consideration of it.
This is a staffing matter. This is not a statutory office holder appointed by me or the executive. This is an officer of the New South Wales public service.
Members interjecting—
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Mr Hargreaves): Order! Mr Hanson was heard in silence.
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