Page 5133 - Week 17 - Wednesday, 12 December 1990
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ADJOURNMENT
Motion (by Mr Collaery) proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Domestic Violence
MS FOLLETT (Leader of the Opposition) (5.20): Mr Speaker, I would like to say a few words during the adjournment debate on the subject of domestic violence and, in particular, on the case that we have recently seen in the ACT and the circumstances surrounding that case. Members will be aware, of course, that it was an appalling apparent triple murder and suicide which occurred in Canberra last week. I believe that this case proves yet again that the enforcement of domestic violence legislation is still a matter which we must continue to press for in the ACT. It is a very serious matter, and I believe that it does raise some questions about the way in which the Act is being administered in the Magistrates Court.
It appears, Mr Speaker, that the woman and her two children who were murdered recently were, in fact, murdered by a man who had been granted bail that very day.
Mr Collaery: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: there has not been an inquest. I am troubled by the conclusion the Leader of the Opposition is drawing. The right province in which to make that finding is at court. I do not press the issue too strongly.
MS FOLLETT: It was in the Canberra Times.
Mr Collaery: I am aware of that, and there are some concerns about that. I guess the Leader of the Opposition has said it; but I would ask her not to emphasise and seek to make a deliberative decision about the question of murder.
MR SPEAKER: Thank you for your observation, Mr Collaery. It is sub judice; is that what you are saying?
Mr Collaery: Yes. There will be an inquest. A coroner has been appointed and my advice was that as Attorney-General I should not make those determinative comments. This is not a point scoring exercise; I assume that the Leader of the Opposition can continue her speech.
MR SPEAKER: Thank you for your observation, Mr Collaery. Please proceed, Ms Follett.
MS FOLLETT: I take Mr Collaery's point, but I think that what I have been saying is pretty much in the public realm. In fact, there is nothing that I could say that would add to what I am aware of has been made public. But I do think
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