Page 3905 - Week 09 - Thursday, 25 August 2011
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MS BRESNAN: A supplementary, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Ms Bresnan.
MS BRESNAN: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Minister, now that the deputy director of the Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate is also the Conservator of Flora and Fauna, how will the government ensure that this dual role is always filled by someone with suitable qualifications?
MR CORBELL: The Conservator of Flora and Fauna is required to exercise a close level of detailed judgement about the approvals and decisions they are required to make under legislation. They are supported in that task by an expert team of individuals who give them advice on those issues. The office of Conservator of Flora and Fauna continues to also be held by a person occupying a public service office, which has been the approach adopted throughout the term of this government and, indeed, into the term of the previous government.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mr Smyth, a supplementary?
MR SMYTH: Minister, is the occupant of both positions being paid for both positions?
MR CORBELL: No, occupants in those circumstances are not paid for both positions.
Childcare—rebate
MR HANSON: My question is to the Minister for Community Services. Minister, yesterday the commonwealth Labor-Greens coalition confirmed that childcare rebates had been slashed by up to $679 a year and that the lower rebate would be frozen for three years. Minister, how much will that impact on Canberra families with children in childcare?
MS BURCH: I notice that the Canberra Liberals did put out a media release. They are referring back to a decision that was made last year before the last federal election. We have capped the childcare rebate at $7,500. The impact of that on Canberra families is that now they are $1,255 better off under a Labor government than they have ever been under a coalition government.
Mr Seselja: So you won’t answer the question.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Hanson, a supplementary?
MR HANSON: Minister, at the time this policy was being developed, what did you say to the commonwealth Greens-Labor coalition about it and how it would impact on ACT families, and how did the commonwealth respond? If you said nothing, why not?
MS BURCH: I will go back to the interjection. What is the benefit of this? Families are better off by $1,255. My comments to my federal colleagues that any benefit—
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