Page 3569 - Week 11 - Thursday, 22 September 2005
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
communication between stakeholder individuals and groups and the Alexander Maconochie Centre project office and staff and a range of advocacy groups.
It would be of interest to members, I am sure, in relation to this very significant project that, consistent with the planning the project team have put in place, they meet regularly with 70 or thereabouts stakeholder groups and individuals, each with a specific interest in the project.
Members of the AMC project team, as members here are aware, have visited prisoners—I accompanied them on their last visit—on several occasions to inform them about progress on the project. Indeed, pamphlets informing ACT prisoners about the Alexander Maconochie Centre’s philosophy and design operations have been posted to all ACT prisoners in New South Wales.
Just recently, the project office wrote to 130 community organisations within the ACT, including churches, sporting and recreation clubs and associations, craft groups, music groups and others, to inform them about the operating philosophy for the Alexander Maconochie Centre and canvassing their interest in being involved with prisoners once the AMC is established and operational. The project office has also written to all businesses in Hume, advising them of the opportunities presented by the construction and the operation of the centre and asking businesses in Hume, at this stage in particular, to register their interest in providing prisoners on work release and former prisoners on release with work or employment opportunities. This is some of the work that is in hand. It is a reflection of our determination to establish in the Alexander Maconochie Centre—
Mr Stefaniak: Do we have an agreement with New South Wales to get some prisoners back?
MR STANHOPE: Not yet, Mr Stefaniak. It reflects our determination to establish a state-of-the-art correctional facility for the ACT, one which is consistent with the ACT Human Rights Act.
In that regard—and I will conclude on this point—it is interesting that there is enormous interest in the operating philosophy, the design and plans for the Alexander Maconochie Centre from the general public, researchers, students and professionals. Material that has been generated by the project is now being cited regularly in books and academic papers dealing with justice and criminology issues. There is enormous interest in the project from all around the world, with the project office now receiving requests for information about this project from Austria, India, Japan, Thailand, Canada, the UK and the United States.
MR SPEAKER: The minister’s time has expired.
Mr Stanhope: I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.
Supplementary answer to question without notice
ACT Health—salary packaging
MR CORBELL: In question time yesterday Mr Mulcahy asked me a question in relation to salary packaging arrangements for staff of ACT Health. I can now advise
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .