Page 3372 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 17 August 2011

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Assembly by the ACT Human Rights Commission. The report mentions that in 2009 the Community Services Directorate, then DHCS, commissioned Oakton consultants to conduct an audit of Bimberi operations and financial performance. The Human Rights Commission report noted:

From early 2010 the sudden surge in resident numbers forewarned in the Oakton report became a reality, with numbers of remands and committals climbing steadily and peaking at a total of 31 residents in January 2011.

That is from page 115, if you have read that far in the report, minister. Yesterday, in answer to questions, you said:

It is not possible for Oakton or anyone to predict, as I have said, increases in numbers … Well, I do not know on what methodology they based that.

The Human Rights Commission report, on page 114, also says, if you have read that far, minister:

A report was provided by Oakton consultants in December 2009 … which predicted that the level of staffing presented a high risk of exposure if the number … increased.

Minister, do you consider that the Oakton report identified and highlighted a high risk situation and, if so, what did you do to mitigate that risk? If you did nothing, why did you do nothing?

MS BURCH: I thank Mrs Dunne for her question. The Oakton report made comment on budgeting of Bimberi. I made the comment that if it was full to capacity, there would be a different budget required. I would suggest, Mrs Dunne, that you go to the CSD website. The Oakton report has been on there. I requested that to go on there today. So you can review both reports and make your own considerations.

MRS DUNNE: A supplementary question, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: Mrs Dunne, a supplementary.

MRS DUNNE: Minister, because you have presumably read it and I have not had the opportunity to do so yet, what recommendations—

Mr Hargreaves: On a point of order, Mr Speaker, I would ask you to draw Mrs Dunne’s attention to standing order 117(b)(iv) and (vi) which talk about imputations and ironical expressions. Mrs Dunne is in fact a pedant when it comes to the standing orders and I would ask you to bring her to order in terms of putting forward ironical expressions and imputations.

MR SPEAKER: Thank you. Mrs Dunne, if you could keep the questions direct to the minister without the commentary.

MRS DUNNE: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Minister, what other recommendations were made in the Oakton report and what actions have you taken in relation to those recommendations?


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