Page 1282 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 23 March 2010

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Mr Hargreaves: On the point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker, for the benefit of Ms Hunter, I was interested in knowing the services which are provided at Murra and at Gugan Gulwan around preventing the young people from ending up at Bimberi.

MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Can you continue, Ms Burch.

MS BURCH: Thank you, and I will continue on the services that are delivered in the centre at Erindale. They are around alternative education for young people that are disengaged from the education system and, therefore, at considerable risk of and vulnerable to entering into the care and protection system. We also work with families. They work directly with young families. Again, it is that early intervention work that keeps them out of the justice system.

Down at Murra, the youth centre down in Lanyon valley, Lanyon valley is an area that, for many, appears to not have the access to services. The Murra youth centre there provides those connections with the young folk. Again, I go back to the west Belconnen centre. It has an area, an identified area, of disadvantage and a high number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents, which was why the location of the third centre was identified in that area and why we have on that reference group members from the local community determining the services that best meet their needs.

Gaming—sale of Labor clubs

MR SMYTH: My question is for the Minister for Gaming and Racing. Minister, the Gambling and Racing Commission’s report on the proposed sale of the ACT Labor Club Group notes on page 9 that 86 documents were withheld from the commission’s inquiry by the ACT Labor Club. The report also refers on page 7 to a potential conflict of interest, and on page 8 to issues relating to compliance with the taxation and corporations laws. Minister, what actions are you taking to gain access to the 86 documents which have been withheld from the Gambling and Racing Commission so as to ensure full disclosure concerning the proposed sale?

MR BARR: No action, Madam Deputy Speaker.

MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Smyth, a supplementary question?

MR SMYTH: Minister, will you refer the matter of compliance with the taxation legislation to the Commissioner for Taxation; if not, why not?

MR BARR: Of course, the commission has provided its report. This is a matter now for some consideration.

Mr Smyth: So there’s a tax issue and you’re not concerned about it?

MR BARR: If the Deputy Leader of the Opposition would let me finish my answer, I will, of course, take further advice in relation to any further actions. But in relation to this particular matter, no decision has been taken at this point.


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