Page 1741 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 21 August 2007

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .


population has grown by less than expected, which has also affected the benchmark level as it is based upon emissions per capita. Consequently, there has been a reduction in emissions savings in 2006.

A total of 207,379 abatement certificates were surrendered in 2006 under the ACT scheme. This is the equivalent to removing about 48,000 cars from the roads for a year. The greenhouse gas abatement scheme remains the single most effective greenhouse gas abatement measure currently available to the territory. It is supported by the climate change strategy and demonstrates how an interjurisdictional emissions trading scheme can work to reduce emissions. I commend the report to the Assembly and move:

That the Assembly takes note of the paper.

Debate (on motion by Mr Stefaniak) adjourned to the next sitting.

Human rights audit

Paper and statement by minister

MR CORBELL (Molonglo—Attorney-General, Minister for Police and Emergency Services) (3.59): For the information of members, I present the following paper:

Human Rights Act, pursuant to subsection 41 (2)—Human Rights Audit—Operation of ACT Correctional Facilities under Corrections Legislation, dated 31 July 2007.

I move:

That the Assembly takes note of the paper.

The ACT Human Rights Office began an audit of ACT remand facilities in August 2006. The government welcomed the opportunity to have an independent audit of its remand centres during preparation for the commissioning of the Alexander Maconochie Centre, or AMC, Australia’s first prison to be operated and designed on human rights principles. The report provides an important analysis of the current state of our remand facilities and highlights many inadequacies, particularly in terms of infrastructure and space. The report provides further proof of the urgent need to replace these facilities.

While it was originally intended that the audit would be completed within six months, it in fact extended to over 12 months, demonstrating a commendable commitment by the Human Rights Commission to produce a comprehensive document. Those parts of the report dealing with identifying international best practice in the area of human rights were well researched and will provide a solid framework for consideration of future correctional issues.

Some of the findings in the report will contribute to the reframing of current policies and procedures, as well as those currently being developed for the AMC. One positive aspect of the report is that if the audit is considered as a potential checklist of factors to ensure compliance with human rights principles the planned AMC measures up


Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .