Page 4621 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 27 November 2019
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Questions without notice
Crime—Irma Palasics
MR COE: My question is to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services. Minister, I refer to the case of Irma Palasics and her family, who continue to pursue justice for her unsolved violent murder 20 years ago. Minister, why hasn’t anyone from ACT police or your office made contact with her family in light of the recent flurry of publicity on this terrible anniversary of her death?
MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Mr Coe for this question. I appreciate that this case continues to be distressing to Irma’s family and friends. I extend my deepest sympathies to Irma’s loved ones on the 20th anniversary of her death. I am seeking more information from ACT Policing about new technology that Irma’s family have raised. The investigation remains open. Police have not lost hope of bringing the offenders before the court. ACT Policing will actively consider any new evidence brought forward.
MR COE: Minister, why have you refused to make contact with the family, despite numerous requests, both directly and through the media; and why hasn’t DNA phenotyping been used, even when the family has offered to pay for it themselves?
MR GENTLEMAN: I have replied to Irma’s family through social media channels, as they requested, and the consideration of the technology that I mentioned before is exactly what Mr Coe has raised.
MRS JONES: Minister, will you commit to meeting with Mrs Palasic’s family before the end of this year?
MR GENTLEMAN: I will take advice from ACT Policing and the JACs experts on whether to meet with the family. It is of course an ongoing investigation, so it is important that we have all of the—
Opposition members interjecting—
MR GENTLEMAN: At the beginning I did advise of my compassion—
Mr Coe: You still have not responded to her email.
MR GENTLEMAN: We have responded, Mr Coe. I said that just now in the answer. I will take advice on whether to meet with the family. It is a distressing time for them, and I want to make sure that we approach this appropriately.
Homelessness—Christmas services
MS LE COUTEUR: My question is to the minister for housing. It relates to OneLink. Minister, I note that as of March this year, OneLink’s funding agreement enables them to provide services on Saturdays and Sundays. However, this does not
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