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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 11 Hansard (20 October) . . Page.. 3376 ..


MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

I have spoken to the Chief Police Officer and indicated that I think it is unacceptable that the Government should have contributed in some way towards the cost of those devices and not have them deployed. In the Chief Police Officer's defence, he indicated that the AFP had obtained legal advice concerning the power of police to use those devices. I indicated that in my view there was no issue about legal powers. There is an issue about legal powers to use a tyre deflation device, and there is the same issue about using a set of handcuffs, or a baton, or a torch, or any other implement that a police officer uses to carry out his or her duty.

So, Mr Speaker, I have indicated that I want those devices to be on the streets in the hands of properly trained officers as soon as possible, and I am looking forward now to advice from the Chief Police Officer as to when exactly that is going to be.

Ms Carnell: Possibly just in the carpark outside, Mr Humphries. That would be very good.

MR HUMPHRIES: That is an idea, yes.

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

Safe Injecting Room

MR MOORE: Mr Speaker, I have a further answer in reply to Mr Rugendyke's question when I was not here yesterday with regard to the budget forecasts for the first and second year of a supervised injecting facility. The proposed model for a supervised injecting place is costed on the basis that it is a health care facility, Mr Rugendyke.

MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Rugendyke, excuse me, but I think Mr Moore is giving you an answer.

Mr Rugendyke: I am sorry; I am paying attention.

MR MOORE: This is for your information. The costing for a supervised injecting place is on the basis that it is a health care facility staffed by qualified health care workers. Education, rehabilitation and counselling are also to be provided, so that pushes up the cost on something like this. It is more than just an area where someone can go and shoot-up. They can already do that, and they do do it in toilets and so forth around Canberra.

As the Chief Minister stated yesterday, the cost of operating the facility in 1999-2000 is estimated to be $500,000, of which $250,000 is establishment costs and about $250,000 is operational costs, but that will depend on when we begin it. The cost of operating the facility in a full year is projected to be $725,000. In the following year, in addition to the operating costs, the Government will allow for a full evaluation of the trial.

Mr Kaine

: Mr Speaker, I want to raise a point of order under standing order 117(h). It flows from what happened yesterday when you said you would take a matter on notice and come back with a response. I do not know whether you have had time to do that or not. The question seemed to hinge on whether or not my question had been asked


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