Page 4737 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 10 November 2009

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I am confident to date that that is the case. This is a matter that ActewAGL continue to keep under close supervision and observation. But to date we have not seen any problems with the deployment of PV in relation to that matter. Moving forward, with larger scale generation there will be the capacity—and I would hope there would be the capacity—for small-scale solar farms, particularly in the urban setting, which, again, will reinforce a decentralised energy grid and create greater security of supply, particularly during peak periods.

Mr Stanhope: I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.

Chief Magistrate

Statement by minister

MR CORBELL (Molonglo—Attorney-General, Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Water, Minister for Energy and Minister for Police and Emergency Services), by leave: I rise to advise the Assembly today of the government’s decision to establish a judicial commission into a complaint against the Chief Magistrate of the Australian Capital Territory under the Judicial Commissions Act 1994. The complaint is that on or about 21 October this year the Chief Magistrate caused or procured the creation and transmission of written material to Special Magistrate Peter Lauritsen which had or might have had the effect of interfering with the conduct of criminal proceedings to be heard by him relating to a public figure known professionally and socially to the Chief Magistrate before the proceedings commenced.

The complaint was made to me on 23 October by two magistrates of the ACT Magistrates Court, Magistrate John Burns and Magistrate Karen Fryar. The complaint relates to the behaviour of the Chief Magistrate in relation to a criminal proceeding currently before the Magistrates Court which is the subject of a suppression order and which I cannot comment on. The complaint revolves around documents prepared by or on behalf of the Chief Magistrate.

Following receipt of this complaint and the documents in question, I sought the advice of the Chief Solicitor of the ACT Government Solicitor’s Office. On his advice, I referred the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions. The Director of Public Prosecutions has subsequently, and on his own initiative, referred the matter to ACT Policing for investigation in relation to possible breaches of the Criminal Code. This police investigation is ongoing and I will not comment on it further. These are matters properly the responsibility of the independent Director of Public Prosecutions and the police.

My responsibilities as the Attorney-General and first law officer are clear, and they must be exercised without fear or favour, affection or ill will. As Attorney-General, I must always strive to maintain the integrity of the justice system and public confidence in it.

Once a complaint is received by me, I must decide, firstly, whether the complaint is valid and, secondly, whether, if substantiated, it would justify consideration by the


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