Page 931 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 29 March 2011
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We do agree this bill will be a positive for the sector. However, we need to get as much as possible right now before we implement something that has not been properly thought through. Yes, there has been much consultation on this, but the guidelines did not come about until very late in the process, and this needs to be considered in the overall consideration of the bill. Again, the Greens support what this bill is hoping to achieve, but we cannot agree to details that have not been fully and properly considered.
I note the point Mrs Dunne made about the guidelines. The point I would like to make in relation to the regulations is that we believe they should be disallowable. It is typical practice, particularly with regulations, that they are. This is something we will obviously consider when we eventually get to the detail of the bill. The human rights commissioner has also noted this is an issue. It is something I have made the minister aware of. We have made her aware of this previously, and also the department. As I said, when we get to the detail stage of the bill we will obviously be taking into consideration the process for the regulations and the guidelines.
Debate interrupted in accordance with standing order 74 and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour.
Sitting suspended from 12.24 to 2 pm.
Questions without notice
Bimberi Youth Justice Centre—inquiry
MR SESELJA: My question is to the Minister for Children and Young People. Minister, draft minutes of a meeting of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services team of your department held on 2 March 2011, in relation to an agenda item headed “4i—Bimberi Review”, state:
High probability that officers from our unit will be approached to contribute to the review. Officers are urged if they are approached they consult with [a named manager] to work out a strategy prior to responding.
Minister, who initiated this cover-up strategy and what involvement did you or your office have in giving it sign-off?
MS BURCH: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. Let us be really clear here: there is no cover-up. All the messaging coming from me, my office, the executive and the executive structures through the department is for open, frank and fearless participation in this review. Emails, letters, general correspondence, group meetings—every utterance—that have come from this office and from the executive have indicated the urge, the willingness, of all staff to participate in frank and fearless. Whether the advice is positive or negative, every bit of advice, every bit of information provided by government agencies, the community sector and people with an interest in youth justice is welcome to this independent and rigorous inquiry.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Seselja, a supplementary question.
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