Page 743 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 26 February 2013
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Minister, why did the government allow for the financial statements to be released without reporting all the revenue?
MR CORBELL: As Mrs Jones should understand, the release of financial statements is done under the annual reporting arrangements by the relevant director-general, who has accountability for those measures. When there is a qualified audit in relation to the financial statements submitted as part of the annual report by the relevant director-general, those matters are addressed. The Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate is currently taking the appropriate steps to address those matters.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mrs Jones.
MRS JONES: Minister, why does the directorate’s business systems not have the information required to be able to collect in a timely manner?
MR CORBELL: Again, as these are matters that are the responsibility of the Director-General under the Financial Management Act and under the annual reporting requirements put in place by the Chief Minister, those steps are currently being taken.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Minister, are there any other areas in your departments that have reported incorrect revenue figures?
MR CORBELL: Not to my knowledge.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Minister, how was this allowed to happen?
MR CORBELL: The processing of a range of statistics and information and data held by my directorate is the responsibility of my director-general. Where discrepancies are identified, appropriate steps are taken to address them.
Tobacco—sale to minors
MS PORTER: My question is to the Attorney-General. Attorney, can you please outline what the government is doing to police the sale of cigarettes to underage persons?
MR CORBELL: The government has commenced testing tobacco retailers’ compliance with the requirement of ensuring that tobacco products are not sold to underage persons. I am sure that everyone in this place would agree that the sale of cigarettes to minors is a serious matter and a matter that needs to be addressed by government wherever possible. The aim of this new compliance testing regime is to reduce the supply of cigarettes to people under the age of 18 by ensuring that tobacco retailers comply with the cigarette sales to minors provisions of the Tobacco Act.
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