Page 498 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 8 March 2011
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discussions. We will not go into that today, though I will be more than happy to on another occasion. I am sure the question would be out of order—or my response would be. But I am happy to talk about Nightrider at any time, and at length.
Mr Smyth: Don’t be so precious, Jon.
MR STANHOPE: I am not being precious, though seeing that 7News is represented here today perhaps it is an opportunity to set the record straight, which would perhaps be worthwhile. In relation to ongoing discussions with Deane’s, there have been discussions in relation to a cross-border connection or the capacity for collaboration.
Mr Coe: I thought you said there had not been discussions.
MR STANHOPE: There have been discussions. I am just trying to round the answer out so as not to leave something out. The simple answer is that I am not aware of any discussions broadly about integrating Deane’s into the ACTION network. I am aware of discussions associated with Deane’s in relation to Nightrider. And there have been continuing discussions in relation to how to better integrate cross-border bus services between Canberra and Queanbeyan, which, of course, if those discussions were successful, would lead to significant integration of services across the border. Along with all of us, I was impressed by the position put by Ms Bresnan on behalf of the Greens during the week: that the Greens’ number one priority for transport in the upcoming budget is—what was it, light rail? (Time expired.)
Alexander Maconochie Centre—drug testing
MR HANSON: My question is to the Attorney-General. Attorney-General, all prisoners entering the Alexander Maconochie Centre are required to have their urine tested for drugs. However, between November 2009 and December 2010 only 66 out of 500 prisoners entering the AMC had urine tests. Why was there a breakdown in the process?
MR CORBELL: I thank Mr Hanson for the question. I of course have already indicated my extreme displeasure with the failure of Corrective Services in relation to the advice they have given to the government on this matter. For that reason, I have commissioned Mr Keith Hamburger to review why this has occurred, what steps need to be taken to prevent it from reocurring and, in particular, to look at the issue of why the government was misled in the advice it received from Corrective Services on this matter. I have asked Mr Hamburger to report to me by 11 April and I will be reading with much interest his report.
MR HANSON: A supplementary, Mr Speaker?
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mr Hanson.
MR HANSON: Minister, since you announced that you had been misled have all prisoners had their urine tested for drugs prior to entering the AMC?
MR CORBELL: Yes. Corrective Services have taken steps to ensure that all prisoners are tested on admission, in accordance with the long-standing policy.
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