Page 819 - Week 03 - Thursday, 25 March 1993
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MR WOOD: I will consult with my colleague, Mr Connolly, who has, I think, very significant water responsibilities, because it is not a matter that I can recall has crossed my desk in the time that I have been Minister. So, I will see what the situation is and advise Mr De Domenico of the detail. Of course we are very concerned to play our part in the good management of the water that comes through and goes beyond our Territory. I think that the recent actions of Mr Connolly through ACTEW have clearly demonstrated that.
MR DE DOMENICO: I ask a supplementary question, Madam Speaker. Noting that the ACT is, as I said, the largest urban area in the Murray-Darling basin and is, in fact, the only State or Federal jurisdiction that has not signed the agreement, can the Minister look at the reasons for that and explain them to the Assembly once he has had a chance to examine it?
MR WOOD: I will get back to you on that, Mr De Domenico.
Women's Refuge - Publication of Address
MS SZUTY: My question without notice is to the Minister for Housing and Community Services, Mr Connolly. Earlier this afternoon I gave the Minister notice that I would be asking this question. Recently, a police report in a Canberra community newspaper gave the street address of a women's refuge in Narrabundah. Can the Minister inform the Assembly, firstly, what immediate action was taken to protect the residents of the refuge; secondly, what action was taken with the newspaper concerned and the Australian Federal Police about this breach of confidentiality; and, thirdly, what long-term action has been taken or will be taken to protect the women residents and workers at the refuge?
MR CONNOLLY: We became aware of that publication the day it appeared. My office spoke to Assistant Commissioner Dawson. The police were somewhat embarrassed that they had released that information and have assured me that that will not happen again. Generally, newspapers running such news stories are conscious of this and do not print street names. However, the little boxes that go in various throwaway newspapers about what is going on in the police beats tend not to be edited; that material just goes in from the copy that the police give them. It certainly will not happen again, from the police's point of view. We have not had any actual complaints from that refuge. There was another case last year which was rather more controversial. So all I can say is that I am assured by Assistant Commissioner Dawson that the police were embarrassed about that and that steps have been taken to ensure that it will not happen again.
Frequent Flyer Programs
MR STEVENSON: My question is to the Chief Minister and concerns frequent flyer programs in Australia. These programs allocate points for flights, hotel use, car hire, et cetera. These points, when accumulated, can then be exchanged for free flights. Would the Chief Minister explain whether there has been a policy, written or otherwise, on how these points are to be used, as these points can cause a significant saving of public funds and - - -
Mr Berry: To go to Chinchilla!
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