Page 5482 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 16 November 2011
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In Canberra at the moment the 2011 Dan Murphy’s national wine show is taking place at EPIC. I commend those involved, including the head of the national wine show, Mr David Metcalf. The deputy chair is Michele Norris, and members are Andrew Moore and Deanna Riddell. I know the committee would like to make particular mention of the contribution made by Mr Tom Carson who is the outgoing chairman of judges.
I would also like to commend the ongoing contribution made by the current chief executive officer of the society, Mr Garry Ashby, and also acknowledge the work done by the sponsorship manager for the wine show, Ms Cate Versegi. The national wine show advisory panel plays an integral part in the event, and they are: the chair of judges, Mr Tom Carson; the past chair of judges, Mr James Halliday AM; past chair of the national wine show committee, Bill Moore; and members, Tim Kirk and Dr Edward Riek OAM.
The Royal National Capital Agricultural Society is a not-for-profit organisation which originated from the Ginninderra Farmers Union which was established in 1905. The Farmers Union mandate was to aid district land owners in improving their farming methods, with the introduction of scientific ideas, and the very first show was held in 1927. Since then there have been 84 shows and the society continues to support and promote agriculture through events and competition and education.
The RNCAS is made up of 10 staff members, seven board members, 57 councillors and over 1,000 volunteers. The current board of directors is: president Mr Rod Crompton; vice-president, Mr Dennis Algie; treasurer, Mr Frank Wommelsdorf; and Mr Stephen Beer, Mr Michael Kennedy and Mrs Kathleen Harvey.
I urge all members to support the society and to visit www.rncas.org.au for more information.
Mental health—prisoners and detainees
MS BRESNAN (Brindabella) (9.17): I am very disappointed that the Assembly did not have the opportunity to debate my motion on the notice paper today about the proposed forensic mental health unit, but at least by having the motion on the notice paper parties were able to deal with a number of issues through discussions about amendments.
One of my key concerns about the proposed unit was whether or not AMC detainees could receive treatment there. The government has previously stated that patients could include people deemed not fit to plead because of mental illness; detainees held at the AMC who had a significant deterioration in mental health and required therapeutic treatment; and people under involuntary orders who posed great risk but were not involved in the justice system.
However, in the last two briefings the Greens received from both ACT Health and Corrective Services ACT we were advised that the forensic unit would treat only detainees who were deemed by the courts to be unfit to plead. The Attorney-General said in the corrections annual report hearings last week:
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