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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 13 Hansard (2 December) . . Page.. 4339 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General and Minister for the Environment, Land and Planning): For the information of members, I present, pursuant to section 29 of the Land (Planning and Environment) Act 1991, approvals of variations Nos 78, 81, 83, 88 and 92 to the Territory Plan relating to the Heritage Places Register; Monaro Highway Realignment (Williamsdale) and Minor Corrections; Group Centres - Provisions for Personal Services and Minor Corrections; Correction Series - Legislative Changes and Minor Corrections; and Dunlop Hills Reserve, respectively. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, these variations are tabled with the background papers, a copy of the summaries and reports, and a copy of any direction or report required. Rather than make a statement, Mr Speaker, or seek leave to have it incorporated in Hansard, which I know I will not get, I also table speech notes relating to three of those variations.

[COGNATE BILL:

Debate resumed from 13 November 1997, on motion by Mr Humphries:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

MR SPEAKER: Is it the wish of the Assembly to debate this order of the day concurrently with the Remand Centres (Amendment) Bill 1997? There being no objection, that course will be followed. I remind members that in debating order of the day No. 2 they may also address their remarks to order of the day No. 3.

MR WOOD (8.01): Mr Speaker, the Opposition will be supporting these two Bills. As the Minister has pointed out, they are part of a national scheme - although not all jurisdictions are yet in it - whereby prisoners or remandees can travel interstate for short periods, on compassionate grounds or, following an amendment by Mr Humphries, other grounds, while remaining in the custody of the jurisdiction where they are held. I note that the amendment that Mr Humphries will be moving arises out of a recent investigation. I note also that the Scrutiny of Bills Committee pointed to an apparent difference of treatment for Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, and said that it was not explained in the explanatory memorandum. I think it is fair to point out that this is a recognition of the part that particular cultural factors play for those groups, to whom the extended family is very important. Family attendance at their significant events is sometimes critical. I believe that on this occasion it is quite justified to make those exceptions. The Minister pointed out that these concessions arise from the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, and they are appropriate.

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