Page 2117 - Week 06 - Thursday, 8 June 2017
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
a number of areas in which we have a very transparent way. There is a select committee that is working at the moment in terms of matters around integrity. We will work with those and we will continue to consult broadly and appropriately.
MR COE: Minister, have you assessed who within the ACT government is conflicted by being a beneficiary of gaming activity and having a role in government?
MR RAMSAY: I will take that on notice.
MR PARTON: Minister, will you, like your Victorian and federal counterparts, rule out any meeting with a person involved in both party activities and the gaming industry due to the “clear conflict of interest”?
MR RAMSAY: I will continue to work within the legislation, as is appropriate, and the compliance regime that we have at the moment.
Parliamentarians—legal fees
MS LE COUTEUR: My question is to the Attorney-General. It relates to the government covering the legal costs of Mr Jeremy Hanson being sued for defamation by Dean Hall from the CFMEU. Minister, has the government agreed to pay Mr Hanson’s legal fees for this case? If so, is there a cost estimate and expenditure cap for these costs?
MR RAMSAY: As has been my practice in the past with a matter that is before the courts, I do not think that it is appropriate to discuss in any way a matter before the courts or a matter regarding an individual.
MS LE COUTEUR: Attorney, has the government got a policy about the payment of legal fees for MLAs, and has the government previously covered legal fees for MLAs?
MR RAMSAY: There is provision within the guidelines for the provision of legal assistance to ACT ministers and members in relation to legal proceedings. There are also other ways in which matters can be covered under territory insurance arrangements if a liability does arise out of the performance of a member’s official duties. That has occurred in the past and it may well occur again in the future.
The amounts and the terms of assistance are determined as appropriate in the circumstances, and my approval for the assistance in relation to those is fundamentally about ensuring there is good access to justice that is appropriate in the particular circumstances.
MR STEEL: Minister, you mentioned access to justice. How does the government ensure access to justice for the whole community?
MR RAMSAY: I thank the member for his question and his concern about access to justice. Obviously, legal help in any context is fundamentally about good access to
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video