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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 03 Hansard (Wednesday, 10 March 2004) . . Page.. 968 ..

broader question of violence on the television and violence against women on the television. I have been really concerned to see how many programs on television now deal particularly with crimes against women. You see women raped and attacked regularly on ordinary TV programs. This is not about getting horrible X-rated, very violent videos; this is normal television watching.

I am interested in our community response to that media impact. I would love to see in our schools a much greater interest in and focus on allowing young people to analyse media in this capacity and to work with our community in any way we can to address the violence that so many men unfortunately still feel is acceptable.

I am potentially interested—this Assembly may not have time now—in having a good look at how we can support initiatives and programs that will seriously challenge the violent culture that still exists at an unacceptable level in our community. I look forward to being able to work with Mr Pratt and the Liberals at least on that.

Debate interrupted in accordance with standing order 74 and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour.

Sitting suspended from 12.26 to 2.30 pm.

Questions without notice

Oxygen supply subsidy

MR SMYTH: My question is to the Minister for Health. Mr Corbell, some five weeks ago you told 2CN radio and WIN news, in relation to Ms Cahill Lambert’s need for oxygen:

We think we can get it for about $250 per month and we are prepared to meet half of that cost and we’ve got Medibank Private to agree to meet half of that cost.

Apparently this plan did not work out. Yesterday, after more action from Ms Cahill Lambert and my question on the subject, you advised the Assembly that on Monday Dr Sherbon made a formal offer to Ms Cahill Lambert of $250 per month to assist with oxygen. In conversations with me and on radio this morning she stated that she did not receive the formal offer until Tuesday at 11.00 am. Why did you claim that the offer was made on Monday when Ms Cahill Lambert received the fax only yesterday? Why has it taken so long for the revised offer to be made to her? Will you review the guidelines for the oxygen at home program?

MR CORBELL: No, I will not be reviewing the home oxygen program. As I indicated to the Assembly yesterday, the government, through the chief executive of health, Dr Sherbon, contacted Ms Cahill Lambert on Monday and advised her of the government’s offer. That was followed up with a written offer, which I assume is the communication Ms Cahill Lambert is referring to.

MR SMYTH: I have a supplementary question. Ms Cahill Lambert told me that she had no communications with Dr Sherbon on the Monday. She received the fax timed in on her fax machine at 11.15 on the Tuesday. The email sent was clocked in at 11.39 on the

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