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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 12 Hansard (19 November) . . Page.. 3737 ..

Mr Stefaniak: What are you saying?

MR OSBORNE: That is what I am asking you. Is that what I am to take from your answer?

MR STEFANIAK: Quite clearly, the answer to Mr Osborne's question is no. Mr Osborne, you should realise that you have one piece of evidence from someone. The Government has available to it other pieces of evidence as well. I have said no, Mr Osborne, and that is why - - -

Mr Osborne: How do you justify it?

MR STEFANIAK: I think I have answered that, Mr Osborne, quite clearly.

Mrs Carnell: I ask that further questions be placed on the notice paper.

MS FOLLETT: Mr Speaker, I seek leave to make a statement under standing order 46.

MR SPEAKER: Proceed.

MS FOLLETT: In the course of question time, Mr Kaine and Mr Humphries, in a well-rehearsed dorothy dix of a fairly sleazy nature, managed to cast aspersions on my motives and, in fact, my character in having brought to public notice the future of the after-hours duty solicitor service some six months ago. Mr Speaker, I would like to advise the Assembly that in bringing forward that matter I was responding to a request to do so, both from the Community Information and Referral Service of the ACT and from the solicitors firm then conducting the after-hours duty solicitor service. I believe that I have done no more than behave as any self-respecting elected representative would do when asked to take action by an individual or an organisation whom they represent.

I would like to add to that, very briefly, and refer members to the Community Information and Referral Service's journal called You Dared to Ask?? and an item headed "Support Needed for After-Hours Duty Solicitor Service". The journal says:

It seems that the ACT Government is considering no longer providing funding for the After hours Duty Solicitor service for people in police custody. This is despite the fact that access to such services is required under Section 23(G) of the Commonwealth Crimes Act. To lobby for the continuation of this service, write a letter of support for its work to -

and a name is given -

Office of the Attorney-General ...

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