Page 3384 - Week 09 - Thursday, 24 August 2017
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Beyond that significant piece of work that the Legal Aid Commission will be conducting, I was disappointed to see that there were a number of people turned away who do not meet the criteria when requiring legal representation. As I understand it from a response to a question on notice, Legal Aid does not have data on the number of people who go to court unrepresented after being refused a grant of legal assistance. This goes to a broader point about our justice system, a point that I raised yesterday about bail. If we are to make the necessary improvements to our legal system, be it DPP, the bail system or, in this case, Legal Aid, it is very important that we collect the statistics, particularly, in this case, for people that essentially did not get representation and why they did not get that representation.
Beyond that point, I commend the Legal Aid Commission for the hard work that they do in often difficult circumstances.
Proposed expenditure agreed to.
Public Trustee and Guardian—Part 1.17.
MR HANSON (Murrumbidgee) (4.34): This area is one where we have seen the blending of various different functions of the Public Trustee and the Guardian. This has been subject to debate in this place and to extensive review through estimates and annual reports hearings. We will continue to review this area. These functions essentially have morphed together. It is a new area, and, I understand, subject to some internal review of these processes.
I note that the Public Trustee has implemented the latest version of the trust accounting software Tact, and I hope that will help with transparency and accountability.
I note that the Public Trustee has gone through a couple of difficult years due to some internal issues. I am optimistic and hopeful that those are now behind for what is a very important area of government. I again commend those that work in the public trustee and guardianship area, which can be difficult and complex. I commend them for the work that they do.
Proposed expenditure agreed to.
Superannuation Provision Account—Part 1.18.
MR BARR (Kurrajong—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development and Minister for Tourism and Major Events) (4.36): The SPA recognises and accounts for the defined benefit employer superannuation liabilities of the territory and the financial investment assets for funding these liabilities. The defined benefit employer superannuation liabilities include past and current ACT public service employees who are members of the Australian government’s commonwealth superannuation scheme and public sector superannuation scheme, and eligible members of the Legislative Assembly defined benefit superannuation scheme.
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