Page 1070 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 16 March 2005

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successful. If they have not taken it up, I cannot answer your question. I reiterate that I have no intention of discussing in this chamber the difficulties of individuals.

MRS BURKE: Mr Speaker, I have a supplementary question. Minister, why has no-one from your department contacted the McIntyre family, or indeed other short-listed applicants who were unsuccessful, to find out how they could help them care for their relatives?

Mr Smyth: That is why he does not want to talk about it.

MR SPEAKER: Have a look at standing order 39, Mr Smyth.

Mr Smyth: Thank you, Mr Speaker.

MR HARGREAVES: I thought I had already answered that question. My understanding and advice is that when people are advised of their lack of success an offer of consultation is included in that advice. I have nothing more to tell Mrs Burke on the issue.

Territory plan

DR FOSKEY: My question, which is to the Minister for Planning, relates to draft variation 200. When the Assembly passed variation 200 to the territory plan, the government made a commitment to undertake an evaluation of its effectiveness in a few years. I understand that this evaluation will include a review of the neighbourhood planning process, as well as processes that have a significant bearing on the community’s confidence and effective participation in Canberra’s planning system. Since it is close to two years since the Assembly supported draft variation 200, my question is: what is the status of this proposed review, and what form will it take?

MR CORBELL: I thank Dr Foskey for the question. I have had a range of discussions with the planning authority about how this analysis of variation 200 can be progressed. It needs to be funded in the coming financial year. It is subject to arrangements in the forthcoming budget, which I am not yet in a position to outline to members. However, I anticipate that this work will be undertaken, subject to sufficient budget funding, in the coming financial year.

The analysis will look at the operation of the variation, its outcomes to date, any anomalies in the variation that have been highlighted since its introduction and any other issues that warrant finetuning of it. The government intends to proceed along that path. I will be asking for terms of reference to be developed in readiness for the coming financial year. Then the process will get under way, pending funding, in the coming financial year.

At this stage, that is the status of that work. I can confirm to Dr Foskey that the government does intend to undertake that analysis, which I agreed with former Greens member Miss Tucker would be undertaken.


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