Page 403 - Week 01 - Thursday, 17 February 2011

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(1) The Government Solicitor provides legal services free of charge to most agencies, including the Department of Land and Property Services (LAPS). Details of the Government Solicitor’s funding are found in the Territory’s Budget Paper for 2010-11.

In addition to the free of charge services, LAPS provided $27,500 (incl GST) for outposting of one of staff from Government Solicitor’s Office.

The Land Development Agency (LDA) uses both the Government Solicitor and external source and spent $432,159.30 to date in this financial year.

(2) This represent approximately 50 per cent of the 2010-11 Budget for legal advice for both LAPS and the LDA.

(3) Legal advice is received on a range of matters.

(4) It is not practicable to disaggregate advice relating to court cases from the totality of advice provided as the focus of advice on a particular issue may change over time.

(5) It is not practicable to readily identify legal advice relating to the development of legislation. Advice of this kind may come from the Government Solicitor, Parliamentary Counsel, agency policy staff or specialist agencies. It is not clear what “provided in kind” is intended to include.

Government—legal advice
(Question No 1335)

Mr Seselja asked the Minister for Arts and Heritage, upon notice, on 8 December 2010:

(1) What is the cost of legal advice in the Minister’s portfolio to date in 2010-11 and to which department or agency does this apply.

(2) What proportion is this of the 2010-11 Budget for legal advice for each department or agency in the portfolio.

(3) What was the purpose of the legal advice that has been received.

(4) How much of this has been for legal advice directly related to court cases.

(5) How much legal advice has been (a) used for the development of legislation and (b) provided ‘in-kind’.

Mr Stanhope: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:

(1) The Government Solicitor provides legal services free of charge to most agencies, including the Arts and Heritage portfolio. Details of the Government Solicitor’s funding are found in the Territory’s Budget Paper for 2010-11.

(2) There is no specific budget for legal advice.

(3) Legal advice is received on a range of matters.


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