Page 410 - Week 01 - Thursday, 17 February 2011
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(5) (a) It is not practical 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.
(b) It is not clear what ‘provided in-kind’ is intended to include.
Government—legal advice
(Question No 1345)
Mr Seselja asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, 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 Barr: 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 Department of Territory and Municipal Services. Details of the Government Solicitor’s funding are found in the Territory’s Budget Paper for 2010-11.
The Government Solicitor bills both Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC) and Territory Venues and Events (TVE) for the provision of legal services.
The cost to EPIC for legal advice provided by the Government Solicitor for the period 1 July 2010 to 9 December 2010 was $25,534. EPIC also obtained external legal advice, at a cost of $9,162.
The cost to TVE for legal advice from the Government Solicitor for the period 1 July 2010 to 31 December 2010 was $3,250.83.
The cost to Australian Capital Tourism for legal advice was $508 for the 2010-11 financial year to date.
(2) There is specific budget for legal advice.
(3) Legal advice is received on a range of matters.
(4) It is not practical to disaggregate advice relating to court cases from the total legal advice provided, as the focus of advice on a particular issue may change over time (eg commence as not relating to a court case, related to a court case, relate to negotiation).
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