Page 1270 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 16 April 1991

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I would like to table in the Assembly, Mr Speaker, a copy of a letter dated 4 February this year, which was sent by Mr Craig Duby, who was then the Acting Health Minister, to Mr Berry. It detailed the breakdown of surgical booking lists by specialty in Royal Canberra Hospitals North and South, and Calvary Hospital, for the September and December quarters 1990. I present the following paper:

Surgical booking lists statistics - Copy of letter from Mr C. Duby, MLA, acting Minister for Health, Education and the Arts to Mr W. Berry, MLA, dated 4 February 1991.

A day later a news release was sent out from my office identifying a slight rise in the figures from the September quarter. This information was used at the time by the Opposition for a number of media stories that totally distorted the facts, as usual. I find it amazing that Mr Berry fails to recall his rambling rhetoric of just two short months ago.

Domestic Violence

MR JENSEN: Mr Speaker, my question is addressed to Mr Collaery, in his capacity as Attorney-General. Mr Collaery, are you in a position to advise the Assembly of the state of progress on the review of domestic violence issues within the community?

MR COLLAERY: I thank Mr Jensen for the question. It is a most appropriate question, considering the incident in the chamber earlier. Before I come to that incident, Mr Speaker, I think the Assembly is well aware that this issue is of great concern to our community. It is of such concern that a reference group involving most of the interested parties has been formed. It is being assisted by my colleague Carmel Maher, and as well there is an interdepartmental working group also looking at domestic violence issues, procedures and legislation. Members will recall that we are about to introduce legislation into the Assembly to extend the jurisdiction of domestic violence orders issued from our courts to interstate parts, so that protection can be secured by complainants whilst they are interstate.

Mr Speaker, the issues of domestic violence were graphically demonstrated in this chamber earlier in question time. I am sure members realise why we need to tackle without fear or favour the concerns affecting - - -

Ms Follett: Not a good word, Bernard.

MR COLLAERY: Ms Follett finds this frivolous apparently, Mr Speaker - the concerns affecting men in this equation. There have been some negative comments on my suggestions that we need to look towards counselling and crisis


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