Full Day Hansard Transcript (Legislative Council, 29 August 2006, Corrected Copy)

The President (The Hon. Dr Meredith Burgmann) took the chair at 2.30 p.m.

The Clerk of the Parliaments offered the Prayers.

The PRESIDENT: I report the receipt of the following message from His Excellency the Hon. James Jacob Spigelman, Chief Justice of New South Wales, Lieutenant-Governor of the State of New South Wales:

James Spigelman Office of the Governor
Lieutenant-Governor Sydney 2000

The Honourable James Jacob Spigelman, Chief Justice of New South Wales, Lieutenant-Governor of the State of New South Wales, has the honour to inform the Legislative Council that, consequent on the Governor of New South Wales, Professor Marie Bashir, having assumed the administration of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, he has this day assumed the administration of the Government of the State.

13 June 2006

The PRESIDENT: I report the receipt of the following message from Her Excellency the Governor:

Marie Bashir Office of the Governor
Governor Sydney 2000

Professor Marie Bashir, Governor of New South Wales, has the honour to inform the Legislative Council that she re-assumed the administration of the Government of the State on 19 June 2006.

19 June 2006

Assent to the following bills reported:

State Property Authority Bill
Children (Detention Centres) Bill
Coal and Oil Shale Mine Workers (Superannuation) Amendment Bill
Interpretation Amendment Bill
Liquor Amendment (2006 FIFA World Cup Hotel Trading) Bill
Snowy Hydro Corporatisation Amendment (Parliamentary Scrutiny of Sale) Bill
Appropriation Bill
Appropriation (Parliament) Bill
Appropriation (Special Offices) Bill
Duties Amendment (Abolition of State Taxes) Bill
State Revenue and Other Legislation Amendment (Budget Measures) Bill
State Revenue Legislation Amendment Bill
Local Government Amendment (Waste Removal Orders) Bill
Superannuation Legislation Amendment Bill
Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Amendment Bill
Civil Liability Amendment Bill
Courts Legislation Further Amendment Bill
Drug Misuse and Trafficking Amendment (Hydroponic Cultivation) Bill
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill

Messages received from the Legislative Assembly agreeing to the Legislative Council's amendments.
The PRESIDENT: I report the receipt of the following letter from the Hon. Paul Calvert, President of the Senate, Canberra:

Madam President

I transmit to you the text of a resolution agreed to by the Senate on 9 August 2006. The resolution is as follows:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) 11 July 2006 was the 15th anniversary of the entry into force of the United Nations' Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights aiming at the abolition of the death penalty,

(ii) 57 countries have signed and ratified the Second Optional Protocol, including Australia, and

(iii) while Australia has ratified the Second Optional Protocol, this Parliament has not yet adopted the Protocol into domestic law;

(b) reaffirms its opposition to capital punishment; and

(c) on a bipartisan level, calls for the Australian Government, the Federal Parliament and the parliaments of the states and territories to work together to adopt the Second Optional Protocol into domestic law with binding force over the Commonwealth, the states and territories.

Yours sincerely

Paul Calvert

The President tabled, pursuant to the Ombudsman Act 1974, the following special reports:

(1) Report entitled "DADHC: Monitoring Standards in Boarding Houses", dated June 2006.

(2) Report entitled "Misconduct at the NSW Police College", dated August 2006.

Ordered to be printed.

Motion, by leave, by the Hon. Tony Kelly agreed to:

1. That questions commence at 3.00 p.m. this day.

2. That General Business take precedence over the Government Business on Tuesday 29 August 2006 and Wednesday 30 August 2006 until 5.00 p.m.

The Hon. John Hatzistergos tabled, pursuant to Standing Order 59, a list of all papers tabled and not ordered to be printed since 6 June 2006.

The Clerk announced the receipt, pursuant to the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983, of the following performance audit reports of the Auditor-General:

(1) Report entitled "Agency Use of Performance Information to Manage Services", dated June 2006.
(2) Report entitled "Managing Sick Leave in NSW Police and the Department of Corrective Services: Follow-up of 2002 Performance Audit", dated June 2006.

(3) Report entitled "Regulating the Clearing of Native Vegetation: Follow-up of 2002 Performance Audit", dated July 2006.

(4) Report entitled "Condition of State Roads: Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW", dated August 2006.

The Clerk announced further that it had been authorised that the reports be printed.

The Clerk announced the receipt, pursuant to standing orders, of report No. 38, entitled "Public Disturbances at Macquarie Fields", dated June 2006, together with transcripts of evidence, tabled documents, submissions, and correspondence.

The Clerk announced further that, pursuant to standing orders, it had been authorised that the report be printed.

The Hon. JAN BURNSWOODS [2.38 p.m.]: I move:

That the House take note of the report.

Debate adjourned on motion by the Hon. Jan Burnswoods.

The Clerk announced the receipt, pursuant to standing orders, of the report entitled "Tobacco smoking in New South Wales", dated June 2006, together with transcripts of evidence, tabled documents, submissions, correspondence, and answers to questions taken on notice.

The Clerk announced further that, pursuant to standing orders, it had been authorised that the report be printed.

The Hon. Dr ARTHUR CHESTERFIELD-EVANS [2.39 p.m.]: I move:

That the House take note of the report.

The report recommends a limit of one metre square on the size of cigarette advertisements in shops and a ban on smoking in children's playgrounds. They are both decidedly modest changes. The report does not address the banning of vending machines or smoking in pubs and clubs. The committee famously decided not to request the tobacco companies to give evidence during the inquiry. The companies declined by letter to attend because they were frightened of being called to account. I note that the major parties, Liberal and Labor, used their votes on the committee to prevent any further action being taken against the pubs and clubs and with regard to bans on vending machines. They refused to make the tobacco companies accountable to the Parliament and to answer questions as to why they were still killing people 56 years after it had been shown that tobacco smoking causes lung cancer.

This disappointing, do-nothing, weak report has been tabled against the committee chair's wishes. I support the chair's stand on this issue, as does Reverend the Hon. Fred Nile, who is also a member of the committee. Liberal and Labor did not want to offend the tobacco companies, the clubs and hotels, and the tobacco wholesalers and retailers. In cowardly fashion they watered down the report to the point where it is a farce. The Parliament has not had the guts to address this major public health issue. Tobacco smoking kills 13 New South Welshmen every day.

Tobacco bans in Ireland were supported by the Irish Parliament, whose members visited hospitals and saw the suffering associated with smoking. They acted and made Ireland smoke-free very quickly. New South Wales has not and will not be smoke-free, thanks to the cowardice of the major parties in this House. This report is yet another indictment of the cowardice of the major parties in this House, who still snivel for a dollar from the hotels and clubs. The major parties are unwilling to take the action that is needed in the interests of the people who elected them. This report is an indictment of the lack of courage of members of this House. People should read the report and note the inaction of this Parliament yet again.

Debate adjourned on motion by the Hon. Don Harwin.

The Hon. Penny Sharpe tabled report No. 5, entitled "Annual Review: July 2005-June 2006", dated 29 August 2006, together with minute extracts.

Ordered to be printed.

Reports: Driver Distraction—Proceedings of an International
Conference on Distracted Driving, Sydney, Australia
Road Safety Administration and Related Road Safety and
Transport Matters—Visit of Inspection by a Delegation
of STAYSAFE

Improving the Health of the Motor Vehicle Insurance and
Smash Repair Industries: Shifting the Focus to Public Safety

Brief Comments on Organ and Tissue Donations

The Clerk announced the receipt, pursuant to standing orders, of the following reports:

(1) Report No. 10/53, entitled "Driver Distraction—Proceedings of an International Conference on Distracted Driving, Sydney, Australia, 2-3 June 2005", dated 30 June 2006.

(2) Report No. 11/53, entitled "Regarding Road Safety Administration and Related Road Safety and Transport Matters—Report of a Visit of Inspection by a Delegation of the STAYSAFE Committee 24 October 2005-8 November 2005", dated June 2006.

(3) Report No. 12/53, entitled "Improving the Health of the Motor Vehicle Insurance and Smash Repair Industries: Shifting the Focus to Public Safety—Report of a Review of Progress in Implementing the Findings and Recommendations of an Inquiry into Motor Vehicle Smash Repairs under the Insurance Australia Group (NRMA Insurance) Preferred Repairer Scheme", dated June 2006.

(4) Report No. 13/53, entitled "Brief Comments on Organ and Tissue Donations", dated June 2006.

The Clerk announced further that, pursuant to standing orders, it had been authorised that the reports be printed.

The Hon. IAN WEST [2.44 p.m.]: I move

That the House take note of the reports.

Debate adjourned on motion by the Hon. Ian West.

The Clerk announced the receipt, pursuant to standing orders, of a report entitled "The Lane Cove Tunnel: Third Report", dated August 2006, together with transcripts of evidence, tabled documents, submissions, correspondence, and answers to questions taken on notice.

The Clerk announced further that, pursuant to standing orders, it had been authorised that the report to be printed.
Reverend the Hon. FRED NILE [2.45 p.m.]: I move:

That the House take note of the report.

The Lane Cove Tunnel is the final link in the Sydney orbital. When opened the tunnel will connect the M2 with the Gore Hill freeway to provide a network of freeways and motorways around the city. The Lane Cove Tunnel is intended to improve the flow of traffic in Sydney, but the project also has the important objective of improving the urban amenity of the Lane Cove area.

The well-publicised problems with the Cross City Tunnel project have provided a challenge to the Government to do better with the Lane Cove Tunnel project by ensuring that the community is fully aware of the implications of the tunnel opening and the associated surface roadworks, particularly those on Epping Road. Despite extensive consultation, the narrowing of the three general traffic lanes on Epping Road to one general traffic lane when the Lane Cove Tunnel is opened will, I believe, shock many motorists because it will cause a funnelling effect, as occurred with the Cross City Tunnel project.

In an attempt to prevent congestion, in the draft chair's report I moved that the committee support a delay of the narrowing of Epping Road to allow for an assessment of the number of cars using the Lane Cove Tunnel. I am pleased that this week the Minister for Roads has suggested that he will investigate ways to delay the start of the surface roadwork on Epping Road once the Lane Cove tunnel opens. That may allow time for the community to adjust to this new piece of infrastructure without having to also adjust to changed surface road conditions. The Labor, Opposition and Greens committee members voted against my recommendation to delay the narrowing of the road.

The committee has recommended that the Roads and Traffic Authority work with Connector Motorways to ensure that the new traffic arrangements are well understood by road users before the tunnel opens. A delay of the surface road changes will provide extra time to ensure that motorists and the local community are made fully aware of the implications and operation of those changes.

The committee also recommended careful monitoring of the road conditions to ensure that the surface roads, once narrowed, will meet the remaining traffic demand. While the committee heard credible evidence that the Lane Cove Tunnel project is likely to result in a net improvement to air quality in the surrounding region, the committee acknowledges that the effect of unfiltered admissions from the Lane Cove Tunnel's ventilation stacks on the health and wellbeing of the surrounding community is a continuing and serious concern for some sections of the community.

To address this concern the committee made a number of recommendations to ensure that the community is made aware of the results of the New South Wales health study, which is currently in progress, and that the improvement of air quality is a continuing priority of the Government. The committee also recommended that the trial of filtration technology on the M5 East tunnel be closely monitored and that future tunnel projects incorporate in their call for tenders a requirement to design and cost in-tunnel filtration. The Government's timing of its announcements about the pedestrian crossings at Falcon Street and the trial filtration of the M5 East tunnel to coincide with the committee's hearings, sometimes on the same day, demonstrates the effectiveness of the committee's inquiry.

Community groups and local government have been seeking Government action to address these issues for a long time, but it took the promise of this committee's scrutiny for the Government to deliver. It is unfortunate that the Government did not address these community and local government concerns in a more timely and direct manner. However, its actions are a validation of the continuing importance of the work of parliamentary committees, joint committees and, particularly, Legislative Council committees, in holding the Government accountable to the community.

The committee heard evidence from a wide range of people during its hearings, including representatives of government departments, Connector Motorways, community members and groups, and local government. The committee also physically inspected the tunnel during construction. On behalf of the committee I thank all witnesses for their evidence and assistance. I also thank the members of the committee for their efforts throughout this three-stage inquiry, which brings to a conclusion the Cross City Tunnel committee's work to examine the Cross City Tunnel, public-private partnerships, and the Lane Cove Tunnel. I thank the Legislative Council's committee staff for their hard work: Natasha O'Connor, Annie Marshall, Elizabeth Galton, Victoria Pymm and, especially, Simon Johnston.

Debate adjourned on motion by Reverend the Hon. Fred Nile.
The Clerk announced the receipt, pursuant to the Legislation Review Act 1987, of the report entitled "Legislation Review Digest No. 9 of 2006", dated 25 August 2006.

The Clerk announced further that it had been authorised that the report be printed.

The Clerk announced the receipt, pursuant to standing orders, of the Government's response to Report No. 24, entitled "Pacific Highway Upgrades: Interim Report: Ewingsdale-Tintenbar and Ballina-Woodburn".

The Clerk announced further that it had been authorised that the response be printed.

The Clerk announced the receipt, pursuant to standing orders, of the Government's response to the report entitled "Cross City Tunnel: First Report".

The Clerk announced further that it had been authorised that the response be printed.

The Clerk tabled, pursuant to the resolution of 8 June 2006, documents relating to a further order for papers regarding the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council received on 16 June 2006 from the Director General of the Premier’s Department, together with an indexed list of the documents.

The Clerk tabled a return identifying those of the documents that are claimed to be privileged and should not be tabled or made public. The Clerk advised that pursuant to standing orders the documents are available for inspection by members of the Legislative Council only.

The Clerk tabled, pursuant to the resolution of 6 June 2006, documents relating to a further order for papers regarding tunnel filtration received on 20 June 2006 from the Director General of the Premier’s Department, together with an indexed list of the documents.

The Clerk tabled a return identifying those of the documents that are claimed to be privileged and should not be tabled or made public. The Clerk advised that pursuant to standing orders the documents are available for inspection by members of the Legislative Council only.

The Clerk tabled, pursuant to the resolution of 6 June 2006, documents relating to a further order for papers regarding the Redfern Waterloo Street Team received on 6 June 2006 from the Director General of the Premier’s Department, together with an indexed list of the documents.
The Clerk tabled, pursuant to the resolution of 7 June 2006, documents relating to an order for papers regarding the 2006-07 Budget received on 21 June 2006 from the Director General of the Premier’s Department, together with an indexed list of documents.

The Clerk tabled, pursuant to the resolution of 7 June 2006, documents relating to an order for papers regarding the Canterbury Multicultural Aged and Disability Support Service Inc. received on 21 June 2006 from the Director General of the Premier’s Department, together with an indexed list of the documents.

The Clerk tabled a return identifying those of the documents that are claimed to be privileged and should not be tabled or made public. The Clerk advised that pursuant to standing orders the documents are available for inspection by members of the Legislative Council only.

The Clerk tabled, pursuant to the resolution of 8 June 2006, documents relating to school education infrastructure in Tamworth received on 22 June 2006 from the Director General of the Premier’s Department, together with an indexed list of the documents.

The Clerk tabled, pursuant to standing orders, the report of the independent legal arbiter, Sir Laurence Street, dated 19 June 2006, on the disputed claim of privilege on papers regarding Luna Park leases and agreements. The Clerk tabled also the documents identified as not privileged in the report of the independent legal arbiter.

The Clerk tabled, pursuant to standing orders, the report of the independent legal arbiter, Mr M. J. Clarke, QC, dated 21 June 2006, on the disputed claim of privilege on papers regarding dioxin levels in Sydney harbour. The Clerk tabled also the documents identified as not privileged in the report of the independent legal arbiter.

The Clerk informed the House that, according to recommendations made in the report of the independent legal arbiter, a number of documents were returned to the Director General of the Premier's Department for certain information to be masked before being made public. The Clerk tabled the masked documents, which were received by him and authorised to be made public on 18 July 2006.
The Clerk tabled, pursuant to standing orders, the report of the independent legal arbiter, Mr M. J. Clarke, QC, dated 26 June 2006, on the disputed claim of privilege on papers regarding the audit of expenditure and assets. The Clerk tabled also the documents identified as not privileged in the report of the independent legal arbiter.

The Clerk tabled, pursuant to standing orders, the report of the independent legal arbiter, Sir Laurence Street, dated 28 June 2006, on the disputed claim of privilege on papers regarding the sale of PowerCoal assets. The Clerk tabled also the documents identified as not privileged in the report of the independent legal arbiter.

The Clerk tabled, pursuant to standing orders, the report of the independent legal arbiter, Sir Laurence Street, dated 16 August 2006, on the disputed claim of privilege on papers regarding Snowy Hydro Limited. The Clerk tabled also the documents identified as not privileged in the report of the independent legal arbiter.

Petition opposing the creation of the Batemans and Port Stephens marine parks until the fishing industry and the community are adequately consulted, a socio-economic study is undertaken, and real data on endangered species is made available, received from the Hon. Robyn Parker.

Petition stating that on 22 August 2002 Kylie Fitter was found not guilty of the murder of her mother by reason of mental illness and was detained at Yasmar Juvenile Justice Centre until the Minister for Health saw fit to release her on the recommendation of the Mental Health Review Tribunal, stating that Ms Fitter's delusional state was found by psychiatrists to have lifted in 2003 and, despite the Mental Health Review Tribunal recommending four times since 2004 to successive Ministers for Health that Ms Fitter be granted conditional release, she remains incarcerated in Juniperina Juvenile Justice Centre, and requesting the Minister for Health and the Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health) to approve and adopt the recommendation of the Mental Health Review Tribunal, received from Reverend the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes.

Petition requesting the House to remove Newnes, Ben Bullen, Hampton, Jenolan, Nullo Mountain and Coricudgy State forests from the list of New South Wales forests declared for hunting for the purposes of the Game and Feral Animal Control Act 2002, received from Mr Ian Cohen.

Petition calling for a plebiscite to be held at the same time as the State election in March 2007 to gauge public opinion on the sale of Snowy Hydro Limited, received from the Hon. Melinda Pavey.
Petition stating that the budget restraints placed on the Parliament are extreme and will result in essential services not being provided to members and the citizens of this State, requesting the House to move a motion of support for staff and the services they provide, and asking the House to send a message to the Treasurer expressing its deep concern that Parliament cannot fulfil its role due to a lack of funding, received from the Hon. Dr Peter Wong.

Petition calling on the Government to install flashing lights in 40 kilometre per hour school zones across New South Wales as a matter of urgency, received from the Hon. Jennifer Gardiner.

Pursuant to resolution business interrupted.

The Hon. MICHAEL GALLACHER: My question without notice is directed to the Minister for Roads. Is the Minister aware that his predecessor, Minister Tripodi, stated in October 2005 on 2UE, "I've guaranteed the public that taxpayers are protected against the financial risks of this project" for the Cross City Tunnel and "it's the same deal" for the Lane Cove Tunnel? Given that the Minister said yesterday, "I'm not going to rule out that we may need to compensate the operators of the Lane Cove Tunnel" as a result of his plans to delay road changes set out in the contract, will the Minister now acknowledge that he is at odds with Minister Tripodi and the earlier position of his Government, and that he has put political opportunism before the financial security of the taxpayer?

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: I welcome the question from the Leader of the Opposition. The Lane Cove Tunnel is a very important project. Combined with the expanded Gore Hill Freeway and additional ramps at Falcon Street, it will complete the Sydney orbital network and provide a maximum benefit to motorists and the community. In relation to Epping Road in particular, it is about getting the project right. The Lane Cove Tunnel and the expanded Gore Hill Freeway have to be integrated into the surrounding road network properly.

We have learned lessons from the Cross City Tunnel. You do not just open a $1.1 billion piece of road infrastructure and the very next day start all the road surface changes. I want to acknowledge the excellent work of the parliamentary inquiry that dealt specifically with this issue under the chairmanship of Reverend the Hon. Fred Nile because it ventilated a number of the issues very well. Indeed, the parliamentary inquiry recognised the need to integrate future road projects into the network in a sensible and reasonable way, to minimise inconvenience to motorists and the community.

The construction period for the Lane Cove Tunnel and the expanded Gore Hill Freeway has been difficult for motorists; there has been a lot of road work going on for a long time. This is about making sure the road work that happens after the tunnel opens is as smooth as possible for motorists. It makes sense to wait until the Lane Cove Tunnel and the expanded Gore Hill Freeway are actually working. There will be teething problems; it is a huge, $1.1 billion infrastructure project.

We need to work out many of the problems before we start the road surface changes. It is about making it easier for motorists, the local community and public transport users. We need to create a smooth transition. That was one of the lessons learned from the Cross City Tunnel. We need to work with motorists and the community in implementing these road changes.

I always find it interesting when issues regarding the Lane Cove Tunnel arise. The Liberals were front and centre in supporting the road changes associated with the Lane Cove Tunnel. So much so that they threatened to oppose the tunnel's construction unless the surface road changes were approved on Epping Road. In early 2002 Lane Cove council supported the construction of the Lane Cove Tunnel on the condition that Epping Road was narrowed. The Mayor of Lane Cove and the leader of the charge on this issue was none other than the member for Lane Cove, Anthony Roberts. He ruled at the time that this was "a matter of urgency". He supported the changes to traffic conditions on Epping Road.

There are clear signs of disunity in the Liberal Party. The Liberals have no position other than the pursuit of rank political opportunism—even at the expense of the member for Lane Cove. It was the Liberal Party that insisted that the surface road changes be made on Epping Road. The Government has learned lessons from the Cross City Tunnel. Opening a major piece of infrastructure and having construction commence on surface roads at the same time can be confusing for motorists. The lessons learned from the Cross City Tunnel are that it is sensible to phase in surface road changes and give motorists and the community an opportunity to get used to using the new roads, the tunnel, the expanded Gore Hill Freeway and the new Falcon Street ramps.

The Hon. IAN WEST: My question without notice is addressed to the Minister for Health. Will the Minister inform the House of progress on nurse recruitment?

The Hon. JOHN HATZISTERGOS: A little while ago the Opposition actually released a nursing policy. Opposition members have not been talking about it much lately, because it has been shown that the Opposition has seriously undercosted the Government's current programs. Opposition members simply do not recognise the real challenges facing our health system. They think you can answer it simply by putting up a billboard slogan. What Opposition members fail to recognise is that their proposal does nothing to create a single university training place or treat a single extra patient.

The Opposition's policy is significantly undercosted. Its $207 million price tag is approximately $150 million short, with a more realistic costing being closer to $360 million. Its policy is also inadequate compared with current Government programs. The Opposition's $4 million retraining program pales by comparison with the Government's $35 million nurse recruitment and retention plan, which includes trainee enrolled nurses, scholarship programs, nursing reconnect, overseas recruitment, Aboriginal nursing initiatives and nurse practitioners.

Most importantly, the centrepiece of the Opposition's announcement—500 extra nurses over five years—is not only short by $30 million but 543 nurses short of the number of nurses the Government has recruited since August last year alone. There are now an additional 1,043 nurses working for NSW Health since August last year. I refer to what Brett Holmes, the Secretary of the New South Wales Nurses Association, noted about the Opposition's policy:

They haven't quite managed to come up to the amount of money that is needed and they are going down the track with some of the clinical issues that would not be acceptable to the broader nursing profession.

By way of contrast, the Government recognises that nurses are the backbone of our health system. That is why we have passed special legislation to protect nurses against the Federal Government's draconian WorkChoices legislation. We have the best-paid nurses in Australia, with a 41 per cent salary increase since 2000. We have improved paid maternity leave, as well as other conditions, such as 10-hour shifts. We have expanded the availability of child care for nurses, with 328 child care places created and a further 163 places in progress.

Not only will be Opposition's nursing policy do little to grow and develop our nursing work force but its promise of 29,000 public sector job cuts will be disastrous for health services. The Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vaucluse, and the honourable member for North Shore need to tell us exactly where these back office jobs are going to come from in our public health system. Will they be hospital cleaners, wardspeople, the clerical staff who man the phones and front desks, or will they be the security staff who keep our hospitals safe? Will they be the public health workers who administer essential vaccination and health information programs? Will they be health promotion workers who work in our schools and preschools encouraging our children to eat well and exercise? Just where will Health's share of the 29,000 come from?

The honourable member for Vaucluse and the honourable member for North Shore say they care about nurses, but it is impossible to slash support jobs without there being a significant impact on nurses' work. If the Opposition had its way, nurses would be doing the paperwork, answering the phones, cleaning wards and changing light bulbs rather than focusing on patient care. And if they do not make these job cuts, which front-line services will be defunded to fill the budget black hole? New South Wales hospitals now have 40,456 nurses working in the system, the highest ever—an increase of 5,500 over the past four years. The New South Wales Government is planning for the future, planning for better health care, and nurses are at the centre of our plans.
The Hon. DUNCAN GAY: My question without notice is directed to the Minister for Primary Industries. Did the Government announce that drought transport subsidies would be extended until 30 November? On what basis was this date selected, and does this mean that the Minister expects the drought to end by 30 November? Furthermore, will the Minister look into a rejected claim for drought transport subsidies for a farmer from the Tamworth region for the months that the Minister mysteriously removed the subsidy—March and April? Will the Minister now admit that he made a big mistake and reinstate the subsidy for March and April?

The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: I thank the honourable member for his question. He has obviously done three months of homework to come up with this question. It just shows the brilliant research that is going into this. I think he is pretty upset because Opposition members have been running around the country inferring that we would not be extending the subsidies. But yesterday we announced it. Now his question has had to be recast and he has had to try to find another way into the issue. Why did we select 30 November? For the interest of honourable members, 30 November is the end of spring.

The Hon. Duncan Gay: And the drought will be over then, will it?

The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: No.

The Hon. Duncan Gay: Of course it will not.

The PRESIDENT: Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time.

The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: We have made no judgment about whether the drought will be over by then.

The Hon. Duncan Gay: It will not be. Why did you not extend it for a longer period?

The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: Will the Deputy Leader of the Opposition just stay quiet for a minute? The plain fact of the matter is 30 November is the end of spring. We have made it clear that if the weather conditions at that stage indicate the drought is continuing, the funding will continue. That is even in the press release. But not only that, we understand that there is a 25 per cent to 45 per cent chance of below average rainfall for the spring period, so there is a chance that the drought will continue. In relation to the decision made earlier in the year, we all knew that we had a very good spring; we had a very good December: most of the State was out of drought. In fact, drought declarations were down to 18 per cent of the State at that point of time. Considering the issue, we made the decision to apply the drought support measures to where they were needed, that is, areas that were in drought.

Unfortunately, we do not control the weather: no one controls the weather—Reverend the Hon. Fred Nile might disagree with that. We do not control the weather, and over the autumn and winter periods we had a continuation of the drought in many areas across the State. We have looked at this issue carefully and we have applied a very good policy in relation to it. In fact, in August 1,600 farmers sought our drought support relief measures. Also, it is the most popular, most important policy in assisting farmers.

The Hon. DAVID OLDFIELD: My question is directed to the Minister for Health. Does the Minister remember I raised with him on 2 May concerns that the removal of the procedure of circumcision from public hospitals will likely lead to reductions in sexual health? Is the Minister aware the 16th annual AIDS conference in Toronto this month found three trials in Africa concluded that the inclusion of circumcision in health programs could decrease rates of HIV infection by up to 37 per cent?

Is the Minister aware that Professor David Cooper, the Director of the National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research at St Vincent's hospital, spoke of the urgent need for developing countries to adopt infant and adult male circumcision? Is the Minister aware that Professor Cooper spoke of the protection circumcision afforded against not only HIV but also other sexually transmitted infections, and that Australia would benefit from infant circumcision?
The Hon. JOHN HATZISTERGOS: I am aware this is an issue on which some people have fairly strident views. The position of NSW Health was as I relayed in my previous answer, and it will remain so until such time as NSW Health is satisfied that any contrary advice to that which has been provided, I think by the College of Physicians, is worth embracing.

The Hon. CHRISTINE ROBERTSON: Will the Treasurer please update the House on the international ratings agency Standard and Poor's latest assessment of the State's finances?

The Hon. MICHAEL COSTA: With a great deal of pleasure I certainly will update the House on the fact that last week Standard and Poor's reaffirmed the triple-A credit rating for New South Wales. Once again the international rating agencies have endorsed the economic performance of this Government. Not only did Standard and Poor's endorse our triple-A credit rating, it made some very complimentary statements about the economic management of this State. It said the State's moderately strong balance sheet, adequate fiscal performance and diversified economy have resulted in a well performing economy. The Standard and Poor's update highlights the demonstrated fiscal discipline, modest levels of debt and a strong balance sheet of New South Wales. The agency said the New South Wales Government had a prudent fiscal strategy and its increased debt levels were consistent with its triple-A credit rating.

The comments follow Moody's reaffirmation of the triple-A credit rating in May, reflecting the strength and diversity of the State's economy. Standard and Poor's also made some observations that are consistent with what the State Government has been saying about the financial arrangements it has with the Commonwealth. The agency said:

Limited fiscal flexibility is a credit weakness of the Australian States including New South Wales. The Commonwealth has control over most taxes whereas the States assume most of the responsibility for delivering services.

All citizens of New South Wales can be proud of the fact that this Government has been able to repair the State's budget. The State, of course, inherited a very weak economy with a very weak State budget—a State that was on credit watch under the previous Coalition, even at a time when we have increased spending on infrastructure to record levels of $10 billion.

Honourable members may be interested to know that, consistent with our triple-A credit rating, we are spending $27 million a day on roads, schools, hospitals, electricity, water and the rail network. We have managed also to cut five State taxes in that period with acute infrastructure, we have increased benefits for first-time buyers and we have paid off $10 billion worth of inherited debt. It is a record of which we are justifiably proud. In the past 12 months we have made real progress and we have a new direction for New South Wales. I look forward to coming back after the March State election and doing more to get our economy in the right direction. Let us look at the other side. The Federal Government has increased interest rates twice this year.

The Hon. John Ryan: By half a per cent.

The Hon. MICHAEL COSTA: So the Hon. John Ryan agrees with Malcolm Turnbull, does he? It is overstated, is it? We have another Malcolm Turnbull here. The honourable member and Malcolm Turnbull might think half a per cent is nothing but I do not, and neither do the taxpayers of New South Wales.

The Hon. JOHN RYAN: My question without notice is directed to the Minister for Ageing, and Minister for Disability Services. How many community participation service providers were unsuccessful in the recent tender process across New South Wales, and how many clients do they have between them? How many remain ineligible after appeals? Will the Minister clarify what has been offered to clients and families that wish to remain with service providers who were not successful in the recent community participation tender? Can clients or families in New South Wales from any existing service provider that was unsuccessful in the tender elect to remain with their current provider in an alternative day program even if they have already nominated an alternative service, as was extended to families at the Sylvanvale Disability Service and the New Era Service at Sutherland? Will the people who elect to remain with ineligible service providers miss out on the restoration of four and five days funding for the community participation to take place next year?
The Hon. JOHN DELLA BOSCA: I thank the member for the contribution he made, which is a lot better than the contribution he made the day that Sylvanvale opened its new facilities at Sutherland. I know that some organisations were disappointed in the outcome of the community participation tender process. They have been offered feedback from the department about their applications. A number of organisations took up the offer and I understand that, on the whole, this was very helpful to them. I have been concerned about a small number of young people and their families who have been unable to find new community participation programs to meet their particular needs.

In situations where young persons or their family have been unable to identify an appropriate service in their area, they may remain with their current service provider on a case-by-case basis. This will not—I repeat "not", for the benefit of the Hon. John Ryan—be in a community participation program. Rather, the existing provider will receive funding to deliver a day activity service comparable to the one previously been offered to the young person. The young person will remain eligible for the community participation program and may choose to transfer to an approved provider at any time.

As the honourable member knows, the Government has increased funding for post-school programs by 28 per cent and, through the tender process, funding has been made available for young people based on their level of need. The tender has delivered more than 5,000 approved community participation places—5,000 approved community participation places means a hell of a lot more choice for the vast majority of those participating in the community participation program. In addition, the Government will be providing approximately 80,000 additional community participation days for people with a disability and their families from next year.

It is all very well for the Hon. John Ryan to express concern for particular service providers and particular families, but he fails to mention that he and the Leader of the Opposition have offered nothing for young people with a disability. The Opposition has not promised one extra day for community participation and not one extra cent to support a program.

The community participation process was rigorous and detailed. That is why the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care offered support to organisations throughout the process. Service providers have had the opportunity to attend training in tendering requirements for human services in New South Wales and in community participation program costing. A specific community participation program costing to all was developed to assist applicants in the tender. During the tender application period the department held information sessions and operated an information line where applicants could ask questions about what was required. Information sheets were also posted on the department's web site during this period.

In their applications, organisations were required to document the ways in which they would meet the object of the new community participation programs through their service delivery. A booklet entitled Choosing a Service Provider has been sent to all young people currently in the community participation program, and their families, to assist in choosing a local service provider who was a successful tenderer and would be most likely to meet the needs. In other words, young people with a disability who would be unlikely to be able to enter the labour market now have a wide choice, similar to a young person who does not have a disability. They can now go to a TAFE directory and look at the various TAFE programs that might be suitable to them. A young person with a disability who is unlikely to enter the labour market now has that kind of facility. That is the kind of approach that this Government takes, as distinct from the approach that the Opposition takes. I am very pleased that 1,407 or 81 per cent of young people have now registered for their community participation places. The community participation tender has delivered better value, more choice, better accountability, better quality, more hours and more days for young people with a disability in New South Wales.

The Hon. JOHN RYAN: I ask a supplementary question. In his answer the Minister used the expression that he enabled people to stay with existing service providers if they were not able to find a provider. Does that mean that anyone who has registered for another provider before he made his offer for them to stay with their existing service provider will not be able to move? Is he aware that at the New Era Centre, at which he offered the same deal he gave at Sylvandale, almost every single client, bar two, have already nominated another service provider because they thought that is what they had to do? Will they have the freedom the Minister is offering or not?

The Hon. JOHN DELLA BOSCA: That is a very long question and a non-sequitur given the answer I have already given. The question does not apply since, as I have said, 81 per cent of people have elected to register for a community participation program.
The PRESIDENT: Order! I call the Hon. John Ryan to order. The Minister has the call.

The Hon. JOHN DELLA BOSCA: It is a non-issue that people want to go back to the program. Most people, including quite a few of the families that I have spoken to—

The PRESIDENT: Order! I call the Hon. John Ryan to order for the second time.

The Hon. JOHN DELLA BOSCA: I have already answered the member's question. I know he is a bit slow.

The Hon. Duncan Gay: They are weasel words.

The Hon. JOHN DELLA BOSCA: They are not weasel words; it is a simple statement of fact. They will be able to stay in programs but not the community participation program. For the benefit of the member I said that they will not be in community participation programs.

The Hon. John Ryan: Right across the State.

The Hon. JOHN DELLA BOSCA: No. He does not get it. This is not about service providers and it is not about two particular organisations: It is about young people with a disability. He will not come up with a decent policy because he does not understand that. He does not care about that and he does not know about that. He has not done his homework. This program provides young people with options in community participation that is real, meaningful and their choice. Those from Sylvanvale, New Era or any other service—and it is not about the service provider, it is about the young people—will be able to stay in a program, not a community participation program, and be able to transfer from that program into a community participation program when they find one that suits them. I am sorry if I have tried to make sure that the program not only works for young people with a disability and offers them a better program but also provides compassion for families with particular problems. I am sorry if I have done that, but that is what they wanted.

The PRESIDENT: Order! I call the Hon. Christine Robertson to order.

The Hon. PENNY SHARPE: My question without notice is directed to the Minister for Commerce. Can the Minister update the House on measures to cut red tape for businesses that operate across State borders?

The Hon. JOHN DELLA BOSCA: New South Wales and Victoria are working to harmonise key areas of our workers compensation and occupational health and safety systems. Consistent rules and processes will make it easier for businesses that have been operating spanning two or more States. New South Wales and Victoria have a common commitment to upholding existing safety standards while streamlining our systems and reducing complexity for employers and employees. The first issues to be tackled by the two States include mutual recognition of construction induction certificates, common guidance materials for business, and common forms for workers compensation claims and premiums.

The Hon. Jennifer Gardiner: Commonsense.

The Hon. JOHN DELLA BOSCA: Exactly, commonsense. I thank the member for her interjection. I am glad she acknowledges that what we are doing in occupational health and safety and workers compensation is commonsense. They also include giving multi-State employers an effective single point of contact and a common approach on key issues in the residential construction industry. The States employing more than half of Australia's work force are working together to respond to these business concerns. Both State schemes are keeping downward pressure on premium rates, reducing the administrative burden for employers and protecting benefits and support for injured workers.

This collaborative and productive approach is in stark contrast to the Commonwealth's bullying and hectoring approach at the Australian Safety and Compensation Council. New South Wales, as many people may have read, has withdrawn from this forum because of the Commonwealth's deception and its refusal to keep its word about upholding existing workplace safety standards. The Commonwealth cut away the safety nets in industrial relations when it imposed its WorkChoices system. A similar approach in occupational health and safety would be disastrous for hundreds, if not thousands or tens of thousands, of hardworking Australians.
While New South Wales and Victoria are cutting red tape and making it easier to do business, the Commonwealth is imposing new and even more complex systems on employers. Seven Commonwealth organisations now oversee work in the construction industry. The Australian Building and Construction Commission alone is budgeted to cost Australian taxpayers $136 million over four years. The Treasurer is very interested in this.

Companies tendering for federally funded work must comply with the national building and construction guidelines on all other projects, including projects when not a dollar of Federal money is involved. If the Federal Minister for Finance and Administration were a private citizen and if the Federal Government were a private company, they would be in breach of at least four sections of the Trade Practices Act, and the Federal Minister for Finance and Administration would be eligible for a gaol sentence. The fact is that the Commonwealth is using bullying and hectoring to try to reduce the safety standards that have protected Australian workers for many, many years. For example, Smorgon Steel, which employs 6,000 Australians and has an annual turnover in excess of $3 billion, was represented at the national industrial relations conference in Sydney last week. Smorgon Group's human resources manager was critical of the National Building Code, which made some of their enterprise agreements non-code compliant, leaving Smorgon unable to tender for major projects.

A major Australian company is being prevented from working because of the Commonwealth's ideological obsessions, which are supported by members opposite. New South Wales has a proud record of harmony and efficiency in the building industry, and it has delivered major projects, including the Olympic Games, on time, on budget and, I am proud to say on behalf of the Government, with not one fatality on site. The department of the Federal Minister, Kevin Andrews, has recognised that New South Wales building projects are delivered 20 per cent to 30 per cent cheaper than in Melbourne, and it has credited the superior industrial relations climate in New South Wales for our competitive advantage. [Time expired.]

[Questions without notice interrupted.]

The PRESIDENT: I acknowledge the presence in the gallery of a delegation from the Parliament of the United Kingdom, led by Mr Michael Clapham, MP.

[Questions without notice resumed.]

Ms LEE RHIANNON: I direct my question to the Minister for Commerce, representing the Premier. Is it true that the Director General of the New South Wales Cabinet Office, Mr Roger Wilkins, has resigned and will take up a job with Citibank? Given that Mr Wilkins has an intimate knowledge of all aspects of government through his work, what measures will the Minister put in place to ensure that Mr Wilkins does not use his knowledge for his benefit or that of his new employer? Will the Government extend the period of nine months in which Mr Iemma has said Mr Wilkins will not negotiate with Government?

The Hon. JOHN DELLA BOSCA: The member's question gives me the opportunity to place on the record the outstanding work that Mr Roger Wilkins, as Director General of the Cabinet Office, has given to not only the Iemma Government but the Carr Government—and, I might add, the Fahey and Greiner governments prior to the election of Labor. In my experience—I can only speak from my own experience but I am sure it is common among my ministerial colleagues and, indeed, members opposite who can recall being in government—Mr Wilkins gave fearless advice. He is an outstanding public servant. He is a person of great intellect and many outstanding qualities, including very good taste in music and literature. But that is beside the point.

The Hon. Michael Gallacher: What about his ties?

The Hon. JOHN DELLA BOSCA: Roger can defend his taste in ties. With respect to the specifics of the member's question, the only observation I can make is that in my experience Mr Wilkins has very high ethical standards. I am sure he will take all appropriate steps—obviously the Government will take all appropriate steps—to ensure that every reasonable public expectation about any particular knowledge peculiar to holding a position in the Cabinet Office that he may have is met. The way Ms Lee Rhiannon phrased her question was unfair. The member asked whether Mr Wilkins would use his knowledge. Obviously, he will use his knowledge in whatever position he takes, just as the member uses her knowledge. I cannot guarantee that Mr Wilkins will not use his knowledge. However, from my knowledge of Mr Wilkins, I can guarantee that he will employ the highest ethical standards to his departure from the public service. Of course, the Premier will ensure that all appropriate arrangements are put in place to protect the ethical conduct of any undertakings by the Government in relation to Mr Wilkins's new employment.

Ms LEE RHIANNON: I ask a supplementary question. Will the Minister set out those appropriate measures?

The Hon. JOHN DELLA BOSCA: I am happy to take the member's supplementary question on notice and provide her with an answer.

The Hon. CATHERINE CUSACK: My question without notice is addressed to the Minister for Juvenile Justice. Does the Minister stand by his department's explanation of the incident on 27 April this year when Juvenile Justice staff gave an inmate of Juniperina Detention Centre, who was a known suicide risk, four antipsychotic medications that had been prescribed for another inmate? Does the Minister stand by the department's explanation that the medication was mislabelled by Justice Health and was entirely the fault of Justice Health? Given that the girl used medication issued to her by Juvenile Justice staff to attempt to commit suicide, why has the Minister not ordered an independent investigation into this near tragedy?

The Hon. TONY KELLY: Yesterday at a budget estimates hearing the Hon. Catherine Cusack asked what I can only describe as an extraordinary series of questions in apparent support of a detainee who was convicted of assaulting the manager of youth justice conferencing at Campbelltown. The assault by this young lady was severe enough to have the Children's Court impose an 18-month sentence with a six-month non-parole period, although I regret to say that the sentence was later reduced on appeal to 12 months, with a six-month non-parole period. This was for the assault of the youth officer and police. At the time of the assault the detainee was four days away from her eighteenth birthday. She already has a lengthy criminal record for violent offences, including assaulting police. Any future offences committed by her will be dealt with in the adult court and, if convicted and sentenced, she will be serve adult time.

This detainee has all the excuses in the world to avoid responsibility for her violent attack on a member of staff. I have no doubt that she or her lawyer raised the excuses in court. The fact that the court still proceeded to a conviction indicates that the court was not impressed. But the Hon. Catherine Cusack has accepted her excuses hook, line and sinker. She thinks it is "amazing" that the department pressed charges against this girl and that she is now back in custody. The honourable member thinks it is unfair that the department reported this violent assault to police. She thinks it is unfair that the police charged this girl. She thinks it is unfair that a sentence was imposed. When staff of the Department of Juvenile Justice are assaulted, the department makes no apology for calling the police. Indeed, it is firm Department of Juvenile Justice policy to do so.

The policy is one reason why detainee assaults on staff have plummeted over the past three years, from 148 in 2003-04 to 62 last year. It is a stunning achievement, but it is one that the Department of Juvenile Justice would never have made if we all took the Hon. Catherine Cusack's softly, softly approach. The simple facts of the matter are these. The offender—I remind the honourable member that this girl is now 18—found an envelope of medication in her property after release. The medication belonged to another detainee. The envelope had been wrongly labelled with this offender's name by a Justice Health nurse and passed to a youth officer, who packed it in the girl's property. It is not in contention that this should not have happened. Both Justice Health and the Department of Juvenile Justice undertook a full investigation of the matter and no doubt Justice Health has taken appropriate action.

I can advise the House—this information was not available yesterday so I am happy to inform the Hon. Catherine Cusack of this—that the Department of Juvenile Justice has undertaken a full review of procedures relating to discharge medication, and has counselled a youth officer for failure to communicate the receipt of discharge medication. The Hon. Catherine Cusack is not happy with this. Her stance is that this young person bears no responsibility for her violent action. The Hon. Catherine Cusack wants the offending detainee to be completely exonerated. We are not dealing here with a small child; we are dealing with an 18 year old. This detainee attended the community centre with her mother and she found the medication in her bag. There was no question that she knew it was not hers. She instantly grabbed the medication and tried to consume it. Department of Juvenile Justice staff who realised the medication was not hers negotiated with her and assisted her mother in taking the medication from her. The detainee then assaulted Department of Juvenile Justice staff. The detainee hit and kicked a door and struggled violently with police when they arrived on the scene. The detainee should never have obtained this medication. Both the Department of Juvenile Justice and Justice Health acknowledge that fact and have taken appropriate steps to ensure that such an incident does not recur.

The Hon. GREG DONNELLY: My question without notice is addressed to the Minister for Justice. Will the Minister update the House on Australia's first compulsory drug treatment correctional centre?

The Hon. John Della Bosca: A good initiative.

The Hon. TONY KELLY: I acknowledge the interjection of the Leader of the Government, who had a lot to do with this good initiative. As I told a budget estimates hearing yesterday, last week I had the pleasure of opening Australia's first compulsory drug treatment correctional centre. Former Premier Bob Carr first announced this significant government initiative in March 2003. The new program will target up to 100 recidivist male offenders with long-term drug dependency and an associated life of crime and imprisonment. These offenders will be ordered into a free State compulsory drug treatment detention program over 18 months to three years, depending on their individual sentences. The program will involve intensive drug treatment and rehabilitation in stage one, which the inmates will complete without any contact visits. In stage two, inmates will live at the centre in semi-open detention but spend time outside in employment, training and approved programs.

The first stage involves intensely supervised community custody with electronic monitoring and drug testing, similar to home detention. This new initiative is part of the Government's longstanding and ongoing commitment to tackle drugs and crime in our community. This is about dealing more effectively with some of our worst recidivist addicts. By breaking their addictions and providing them with the skills to successfully reintegrate into the community we help them take personal responsibility to lead productive crime-free and drug-free lives. Correctional experts tell me that the available research and experience of similar programs internationally proves this type of treatment works, especially when the program involves case management linked to post-release housing, training and entry to the labour market. All of these have been built into our program.

In New South Wales the new program is supported by strong legislation. The Compulsory Drug Treatment Correctional Centre Act was passed by New South Wales Parliament with bipartisan support after an extensive process of public consultation. It is a tough program in a high-security facility that has secure perimeter fencing and external floodlighting, and the site has been given a comprehensive security audit. Offenders will be subject to periodic random and targeted drug testing throughout the process. This new facility and program are key components of our longstanding and ongoing strategy to tackle the problem of illicit drugs in the community.

The Hon. Duncan Gay: Why is that not in every gaol?

The Hon. TONY KELLY: Perhaps it should be in every gaol, but New South Wales is the only State in Australia to implement such a program—the first State in Australia. I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for his acknowledgement that it is a great step forward. Since 1999 New South Wales has set a new direction in drug policy. The approach recognises the complexity of drug abuse and tackles the problem on all levels, as a whole-of-government, whole-of-community issue. We have an evidence-based key focus on four areas—prevention, education, treatment and law enforcement. This has been supported by more than $434 million in additional funding.

In 2004 the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre reported that the number of current regular heroin users in New South Wales had dropped by about 58 per cent since 1999, from 48,200 in 1999 to 19,900 in 2002. The household survey in 2004 also lists a number of other improvements. Heroin arrests are down from 4,659 in 1998-99 to 849 in 2004-05. That is an 82 per cent decrease. Clearly gains are being made in the fight against crime. This new centre continues the Iemma Government's efforts to make our community safer and to strengthen families by working to stop illicit drug use and related crime, which come at a significant and painful cost to everyone.
The Hon. Dr PETER WONG: My question without notice is directed to the Treasurer. Does the Treasurer still purport to represent the workers of New South Wales and is he still a member of a union? Would the Minister like to take this opportunity to talk about John Howard's workplace reforms, or would he prefer to discuss his own version of workplace reform?

The Hon. MICHAEL COSTA: I did not understand that question. I am happy to look at it and to give a response. If the honourable member—

The Hon. Michael Gallacher: Didn't you hear him ask you why you do not resign? I did.

The Hon. MICHAEL COSTA: Did you? The honourable member is not going to see that happen. If the Hon. Dr Peter Wong was referring to today's industrial action, which I assume he was in his convoluted way, the Government's position in that regard is clear, and last night, at an estimates hearing, the Premier made the Government's position clear. All government agencies, except for those that are in the front line—which is a distinction with the Opposition—are expected to make budget savings, and Parliament is not exempt from that expectation.

The Hon. MELINDA PAVEY: My question without notice is directed to the Minister for Health. Now that the Minister has met with the ACT Eden Monaro Cancer Support Group, which has for more than 20 years provided financial support for families in New South Wales struggling with the financial burdens imposed by cancer, will he join with the Australian Capital Territory Government and give financial assistance to this worthy group, which supplies equipment to New South Wales hospitals and provides support to New South Wales residents in Queanbeyan, Yass and beyond?

The Hon. JOHN HATZISTERGOS: We provide significant levels of support to people who have cancer and to carers of people with cancer. Only recently we announced an increase in the funding we are providing under the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme to provide a level of support that is amongst the highest in Australia—an increase in the per kilometre rate for petrol for people who are travelling distances for treatment for cancer and other illnesses, and a reduction in the qualifying rate from the 200 kilometre down to 100 kilometres. We provide a range of other assistance and accommodation support in various locations.

The Government has two approaches to this issue. The first is to provide financial assistance through our programs. The second approach is to try to get some of these facilities, especially for cancer treatment, into some of our regional locations. As the Hon. Melinda Pavey mentioned to me in passing with great enthusiasm in a lift today, she is impressed with the progress we are making on the Coffs Harbour Integrated Cancer Centre. She was gushing with praise this morning in the lift about what a great initiative that was.

The Hon. Melinda Pavey: That was Andrew Fraser.

The Hon. JOHN HATZISTERGOS: The honourable member was part of it. I could see the smile all over her face. The only criticism I have with the honourable member is that she did mention anything about Port Macquarie being provided with such a centre—and that is not consistent with the demeanour for which the Hon. Melinda Pavey is known in this House. She seems to be somewhat derogatory of the honourable member for Port Macquarie, but I will leave that aside for a moment.

The point I am making is that a number of these facilities have been established in a variety of different locations. Increasingly we are trying to progress these into country areas—Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie will be the next locations. We also have a priority to locate them in Lismore and Orange. There is a private facility of this type in Wagga Wagga. People can also access such a facility in Canberra. I am interested to hear the Opposition's approach to radiotherapy and cancer services in rural locations. Recently when the Leader of the Opposition in the other place went to a Cabinet meeting in Orange, he could not indicate whether he was going to support a radiotherapy unit in the Orange electorate, but he indicated that the honourable member for North Shore would make an announcement about that. On 18 August the honourable member for North Shore was reported on ABC radio and in the Central Western Daily as saying:

… both Orange and Dubbo deserved a radiotherapy facility.

Further, the member said:

… when the Federal Government has a $12 billion Health budget there shouldn't need to be a decision of one over the other.

The honourable member for North Shore also claimed that she had received support from the Federal Government a few days previous to her statement, but she would not give details as to which Federal politicians or departments had promised that support. On 19 August, the day after she promised a facility for both Orange and Dubbo, she was reported in the Daily Liberal as saying:

There is not enough available work force to provide a service in Dubbo and I can't offer the same commitment to Dubbo that I've given to Orange.

Interestingly, she blamed the community. That is how the Coalition would organise radiotherapy services. The honourable member for North Shore said:

Orange support for radiotherapy has been stronger than support in Dubbo.

In other words, the community is to blame; the people of Dubbo have not fought hard enough. First of all the member for Vaucluse gives them nothing. Then one day the honourable member for North Shore says both Orange and Dubbo will get a facility, and the very next day she says Dubbo cannot have one and that it is the community's fault.

The Hon. AMANDA FAZIO: My question is directed to the Minister for Roads. Will the Minister provide the House with the latest information on northern beaches road infrastructure?

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: I thank the Hon. Amanda Fazio for her question and commend her for her interest in this matter. Recently the Government announced a call for tenders to widen The Spit Bridge at Mosman. The existing road network on either side of the bridge has three lanes each way. The widening of the bridge by two lanes on the western side will provide a total of six traffic lanes on the bridge, thereby removing a significant bottleneck. This is a realistic and responsible way to improve traffic flow between the northern beaches and the city—one that is supported by the hardworking member for Manly, David Barr. The Government's investment of $11 million towards the widening of The Spit Bridge has been allocated in the 2006-07 budget. Our initiative stands in stark contrast to the Opposition's complete and utter lack of any plan for solving The Spit Bridge bottleneck.

I inform the House that at a press conference the other week journalists were stunned by the fact that the honourable member for Vaucluse had no idea of an alternative for The Spit Bridge. Having dispatched John Brogden from the leadership, the member for Vaucluse has dispatched Brogden's promise to build a tunnel under the bridge—which by any estimate would cost above $3 billion. What about the honourable member's alternative solution? Sixteen questions were asked of the member of Vaucluse in his press conference. He refused to answer them. The member for Vaucluse is ignoring the people of Manly and the northern beaches. He does not even have his usual grab bag of irresponsible unfunded promises. He has no plan at all.

The widening project will also improve the reliability of public transport in the area. Existing tidal flow arrangements allow for only one lane northbound in the morning peak and one lane southbound in the afternoon. The widening of the bridge will increase public transport reliability by removing this tidal arrangement. As well as widening the bridge to six lanes, the project includes widening the immediate bridge approaches and installing a new operating system that opens the bridge for boat access to Middle Harbour, thus improving reliability. The Spit Bridge is a major Sydney thoroughfare that provides a key link between Sydney's northern suburbs and northern beaches. It carries an average of 70,000 motor vehicles a day. This New South Wales Government-funded project will improve road safety, travelling conditions and travel times by providing more lanes for travel. The project also includes the provision of a three-metre wide shared bicycle and pedestrian path on the western side of the bridge. A letter to the Manly Daily on 24 August by a local community representative is instructive. In his letter, Mr McGrath of Manly Vale pleads for the Opposition to please deliver a single constructive idea. He writes:

The RTA have listened to our concerns and delivered thoughtful and creative solutions for improving cycling infrastructure around the bridge.

They have gone out of their way to ensure that cyclists retain access throughout the construction process.

But the headline says it all: "Note to Mr Debnam: on yer bike".
The Hon. PETER BREEN: I direct my question to the Minister for Roads. Is the Minister aware that former Premier Bob Carr promised that construction of the Grafton Bridge would commence in February 2006?

The Hon. Rick Colless: Your former leader.

The Hon. PETER BREEN: Mr Carr was never my leader. Is the Minister also aware that Mr Carr said on 21 February 2003, " I give an ironclad guarantee to this timetable. A new bridge is seriously required"? Will the Minister explain to the House why former Minister for Roads Joe Tripodi reneged on Bob Carr's promise to the people of northern New South Wales by deferring the construction of the Grafton bridge? Will he reinstate the project as an urgent priority of the Government?

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: The House would be well aware of the connection between the State and Federal governments for road funding through the AusLink agreement. The House may be interested to know that the Federal Government has been playing tough ball on the AusLink agreement and arrangements, which has created difficulties for the New South Wales Government. It is informative to look at what has happened with that agreement. One particular issue of the AusLink agreement that has hurt the community of New South Wales has been the massive reduction in support from the Federal Government for maintenance. The Federal Government has savagely cut funding for maintenance by 20 per cent. That gap has had to be filled by the State Government. As has been explained previously, the cut in AusLink funding to the State has resulted in a deferral of the Grafton bridge project.

The New South Wales Government has been forced to make up the shortfall by delaying projects or reducing funding. That means that the second Grafton bridge on the Summerland Way, the Alstonville bypass on the Bruxner Highway and the Gardeners Road ramps at Eastlakes have been delayed by at least four years. The first stage of the Oxley Highway work at Port Macquarie has also been delayed as a result of funding cuts. This is yet another demonstration of the Federal Government's aggressive approach against the people of New South Wales for political purposes. There are two reasons for that. First, despite the Federal Government swimming in a $12 billion surplus, it refuses to rightfully give to the people of New South Wales the funds they deserve through AusLink and GST returns. Second, the New South Wales Liberal Party, having been taken over by extremists and led by one of the head extremists, Mr Peter Debnam, has become completely impotent.

The Hon. Don Harwin: Point of order: The Minister for Roads has moved away from the subject matter of the question. He is required to be relevant in his answer. I ask that he be drawn back to the subject matter of the question.

The PRESIDENT: Order! I remind the Minister for Roads that he has two requirements when answering a question, and one of those requirements is to be relevant.

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: The impotence of the New South Wales Liberal Party in failing to make the Federal Government give New South Wales its rightful funds through the AusLink agreement and GST returns is very relevant to the issue of the Grafton bridge. If we had the additional funds, we would have enough money to pay for projects such as the construction of the Grafton bridge. Unfortunately, extremists now dominate the New South Wales Liberal Party. The victims on the Opposition benches know what I am talking about and understand what is happening to the Liberal Party in this State. The New South Wales Liberal Party is being controlled by extremists, and it is being ignored by the Federal Government.

The Hon. Don Harwin: Point of order: I should not need to take another point of order because, of course, this point of order addresses the same matters raised in my earlier point of order: relevance and the Minister straying from the question he was asked. Madam President, pursuant to the standing orders I ask you to draw him back to what is relevant to the question asked.

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Minister was making general comments about the financing of the Grafton Bridge.

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: I would like to work in co-operation with the Federal Government. If it could increase funding through AusLink, that would go a long way towards our resolving projects that have had to be deferred.
The Hon. CHARLIE LYNN: I direct my question to the Minister for Justice. Will the Minister withdraw his description of charges against child killer John Lewthwaite as "minor" and ensure that his parole is immediately revoked? Why is Lewthwaite able to enjoy his freedom after having been charged with wilful and obscene exposure, whereas his parole would have been revoked if he had gambled?

The Hon. TONY KELLY: Child killer John Lewthwaite is facing tough parole restrictions following his recent arrest on a summary charge. The Department of Corrective Services applied extensive parole conditions to Lewthwaite. They include no drugs, alcohol or gambling. He must also undergo urinalysis, and he cannot be in the company of anyone under the age of 16 unless the child is accompanied by a responsible adult. He must also subject himself to psychological counselling and assessment if required by his parole officer and he must report to the Probation and Parole Service once a week and to New South Wales police twice a week.

This follows the recent arrest by New South Wales police of the 49-year-old for wilful and obscene exposure. I am advised that he was placed on conditional bail and is due back in court on 14 September. It is totally appropriate for the authorities to take this course of action, and the community expects nothing less. The Acting Commissioner of Corrective Services, Ian McLean, wrote to the State Parole Authority last week asking that it consider revoking parole following the charge. I am advised that the authority determined that, given it had not received an adverse report on Lewthwaite in the seven years he had been on parole, the matter should be stood over until 29 September.

I wrote to the State Parole Authority last week expressing my concern about this offender and asking that the independent body consider reviewing its decision and bringing forward the date of the parole review. I am now advised that following my correspondence the authority has moved the review to 15 September, a day after Lewthwaite's next court appearance. As honourable members know, in 1974 this man was convicted of murder and he was sent to jail. After the Coalition passed legislation, that sentence was confirmed at 20 years non-parole. He actually served 25 years before he was granted parole. The State Parole Authority has advised that he has been on parole for seven years without offending.

The Hon. JOHN DELLA BOSCA: I suggest that if honourable members have further questions, they place them on notice.

The following answers to questions without notice were received by the Clerk during the adjournment of the House:

On 4 May 2006 Mr Ian Cohen asked the Treasurer, representing the Minister for Ports and Waterways, a question without notice regarding Sydney Harbour dioxin levels. The Minister for Ports and Waterways provided the following response:

I am advised the approved methodology for removing the contaminated material it to use earth cofferdams and drain the enclosed areas. Any alternative proposals by the remediation contractor would need to be approved by the relevant regulatory authorities.

On 10 May 2006 the Hon. Jennifer Gardiner asked the Minister for Health a question without notice regarding Tweed Hospital. The Minister for Health provided the following response:

Hospital bed capacity is managed according to demand and the clinical need of patients. At times this involves the transfer of patients.

As advised, some highly specialised clinical services are accessed from Queensland. The closest tertiary services for Tweed residents is in Queensland.

Patient load estimation is complex and driven by many factors. These include population growth, population ageing, doctor referral, movement of patients from Queensland, and access to primary care including General Practice. Any of these factors could, to a lesser or greater degree, impact on patient load. The current flow of patients from Queensland to NSW is higher than expected. For example, the proportion of Queensland resident women giving birth at Tweed Heads Hospital has now risen to around 58%.

A Demand Management Plan is being developed by the Tweed/Byron Network of the North Coast Area Health Service, which includes opening an additional five monitored beds from early July 2006, improved utilisation of bed capacity in the Tweed/Byron Network Hospitals, and implementation of the Clinical Service Redesign Program to improve patient flows through Tweed Heads Hospital.

On 11 May 2006 Reverend the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes asked the Minister for Justice, representing the Minister for Water Utilities, a question without notice regarding Sydney Water domestic usage charges. The Minister for Water Utilities provided the following response:

I am advised that Sydney Water's after tax profit for the half year ending 31 December 2005 was $85 million, which was $10 million above the Statement of Corporate Intent target.

This profit performance was largely driven by a combination of factors that resulted in reduced operating costs during the reporting period, mostly due to savings in labour costs and contractors. This did not impact on the operational performance of Sydney Water's assets and provision of services to customers.

The new price structure for Sydney Water services came into effect on 1 October 2005. The fixed water charge was reduced and the water usage charge was increased. It was anticipated that, allowing for inflation, bills for the average customer would increase by around $15 a quarter in 2005/06. Increased measures have been incorporated to protect large families and low income households.

The price structure was set by an independent regulator—the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART)—who in its determination for the period 1 October 2005 to 30 June 2009 recognised that it was necessary for prices to rise for a number of reasons, including:

• to help send signals to water users about the cost of water and the need to conserve it;
• to maintain and renew water, wastewater and other infrastructure;
• to expand Sydney Water's infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing population; and
• to reflect higher operating costs and increasing complexity of water supply arrangements.

This change in prices and the continued water conservation efforts of the people of Sydney, Blue Mountains and the Illawarra have, in fact, had the effect of reducing water sales revenue. However, these efforts are to be encouraged and congratulated as together we have achieved a saving of more than 196,000 million litres of water since mandatory water restrictions were introduced on 1 October 2003.

Not just Sydney Water, but a whole-of-government effort will continue in this regard, driven by the initiatives and measures of the NSW Government's Metropolitan Water Plan.

On the question of Appin Colliery, I understand that wastewater discharges from the Colliery are regulated by an Environment Protection Licence issued by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC). Questions relating to this matter should be directed to the Minister for Environment.

I am advised, however, that the Colliery is a participant in Sydney Water's Every Drop Counts Business Program and is working with Sydney Water to identify 'and implement projects to reduce potable water use.

On 23 May 2006 the Leader of the Opposition asked the Minister for Industrial Relations, representing the Premier, a question without notice regarding police freedom of information delays. The Premier provided the following response:

I am advised that an internal review recently identified the need for increased staffing within the NSW Police Freedom of Information (FOI) Unit. Approval has been given to recruit nine additional staff to assist the Unit. Recruitment for these positions is under way, and placement of the additional staff should considerably reduce the number of outstanding FOI applications.

On 23 May 2006 Mr Ian Cohen asked the Treasurer, representing the Minister for Planning, a question without notice regarding the Building Sustainability Index. The Minister for Planning provided the following response:

The Government recently announced its commitment to increase the BASIX energy targets from 1 July 2006. The newly announced targets include regional variations allowing for climatic constraints and variations for building types and ensure that on average BASIX will deliver an overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 36% for new homes.

From 1 October 2006 alterations and additions of a certain value to existing homes will also be required to comply with BASIX.

Under the new target BASIX will save 287 billion litres of water and more than 8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide being emitted to the atmosphere over the next decade.

On 23 May 2006 Reverend the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes asked the Minister for Primary Industries, representing the Minister for Gaming and Racing, a question without notice regarding mobile phone gambling. The Minister for Gaming and Racing provided the following response:

I am aware of media reports indicating that Intralot has expressed an interest in expanding its gaming operations into Australia.
I understand that the Victorian Government is currently undergoing a tender process for public lottery licences. Details regarding organisations that have applied have not been released.

The protection of young people is paramount. That is why the Government has no intention of allowing any new or existing public lottery licensee in New South Wales to provide gambling or lotteries on mobile phones.

On 23 May 2006 the Hon. Rick Colless asked the Minister for Primary Industries a question without notice regarding threatened species legislation. The Minister for the Environment provided the following response:

The honourable member should recall that it was the Liberal and National parties who amended the Threatened Species Conservation Bill 1995 to make the NSW Scientific Committee's listing decisions independent. Having said that, it must be remembered that the Scientific Committee makes its decisions based on science, nothing else.

I am advised that the Scientific Committee is considering a proposal to list Old Man Saltbush Shrubland as an endangered ecological community. I understand that it has not made any final decision.

Public comment is currently being sought and I have extended this period for an additional month to facilitate additional feedback from NSW farmers. I would urge all interested stakeholders to ensure they make submissions.

I can in any event assure the farming community that, whether or not this ecological community is listed, farmers will be able to continue to undertake routine agricultural activities unimpeded. This includes grazing. The Government's 2004 reforms to the Threatened Species Conservation Act have ensured this.

On 24 May 2006 Reverend the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes asked the Minister for Health, representing the Minister for Education and Training, a question without notice regarding the students strike. The Minister for Education and Training provided the following response:

I am aware that the organisation Resistance called a student strike for 1 June 2006 to protest against the Federal Government's “WorkChoices” legislation.

I took the view that 1 June was a normal school day and students were expected to be at school.

Young people who were absent from school on 1 June were marked absent. Principals expected that they subsequently would bring a note from home explaining their absence. In the absence of a satisfactory explanation, students were recorded as absent without leave.

On 24 May 2006 the Hon. Robert Brown asked the Minister for Roads, representing the Minister for Police, a question without notice regarding photographic firearms licences. The Minister for Police provided the following response:

NSW Police has advised me:

The Roads and Traffic Authority charges $28 to issue a photographic firearms licence. The Firearms Registry is unaware of any proposal to increase this fee.

On 25 May 2006 Mr Ian Cohen asked the Minister for Roads, representing the Minister for Police, a question without notice regarding Nimbin Mardi Grass police presence. The Minister for Police provided the following response:

NSW Police has advised me:

Over the past few years, a marked increase in the use of drugs other than cannabis associated with the Nimbin Mardi Grass festival has coincided with an increase in violent crime in the area. While details of police methodology cannot be divulged for operational reasons, the increased police presence at this year's festival is considered an appropriate response. NSW Police has received extensive support from the Nimbin community regarding the policing response to this event.

On 25 May 2006 Reverend the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes asked the Minister for Justice, representing the Minister for Community Services, a question without notice regarding same-sex adoption. The Minister for Community Services provided the following response:

To assist interested parties in providing a comment on the Adoption Act 2000 legislative review, an Issues Paper was released in April 2006. A large number of submissions have been received by the Department of Community Services.

There is a long standing policy that unmarried people can apply to adopt a child in NSW. There are no plans to change this policy, however all people with an interest in the matter are entitled to make submissions to the review process and have their positions considered.
The adoption legislation emphasises that the best interests of the child are paramount when considering an adoption placement for a child. I am advised that this fundamental objective will be upheld in the conclusions and recommendations of the final report.

On 25 May 2006 the Hon. David Oldfield asked the Minister for Health, representing the Minister for Education and Training, a question without notice regarding political activism in schools. The Minister for Education and Training provided the following response:

Schools are places where students are preparing for informed and reasoned involvement in community life, including politics, by calm and co-operative study of issues. Classrooms are neutral grounds for rational discussion and objective study.

Discussion of controversial issues is acceptable only when it clearly serves an educational purpose and is consistent with curriculum objectives. Such discussion is not intended to advance the interest of any group, political or otherwise.

The Department of Education and Training has policies which give clear direction to teachers preparing lessons which address controversial issues in our society. The Department's policies stress the importance of objectivity in teaching. These matters are addressed in the Controversial Issues in Schools policy.

Teachers and other staff are expressly prohibited from distributing circulars or other material of a political nature to students at schools. To do so would be to risk disciplinary action.

On 25 May 2006 the Hon. John Ryan asked the Minister for Disability Services a question without notice regarding the Centre for Development Studies, University of Sydney. The Minister for Disability Services provided the following response:

The Centre for Developmental Disability Studies (CDDS) was established in 1995 under a memorandum of understanding between New South Wales Health, The Spastic Centre of New South Wales, Royal Rehabilitation Centre-Sydney, Sydney University, Macquarie University and the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care.

The department contributed $200,000 per year for the five years from 1995 to 1999 under this agreement. During that time, CDDS' goal was to establish self-sufficiency through attracting research grants and consultancy. This was not able to be achieved, therefore in October 2001, the department agreed to provide further funding of $300,000 per annum for three years. This research agreement expired at the end of August 2004.

In July 2004, a further $100,000 was granted for 2004/05 for two research projects and some infrastructure funding. The two projects under the work plan developed for this agreement are still under way.

CDDS was advised in 2004, that the department would be seeking competitive tenders for future research projects and that they would be able to submit bids for these projects. Pending competitive tendering for disability research being established, the department has agreed to provide further funding of $350,000, which will be made available to CDDS for the next two years. This will be for infrastructure funding and one research project to be delivered to the department each year.

An additional $80,000 in one-off funding will be provided over the next 12 months by the NSW Department of Health to support staffing of the CDDS' specialist health service.

The New South Wales Government recently announced Stronger Together, a 10-year plan for disability services in New South Wales. As part of this plan, $4.5 million will be available over five years for research and data. This further investment will help establish a solid evidence-base to further improve services for people with a disability.

This funding is planned to commence in 2008/09. In the interim, current funding provided to CDDS will ensure that there is ongoing disability research in New South Wales.

On 6 June 2006 the Leader of the Opposition asked the Minister for Finance a question without notice regarding budgets for police stations. The Minister provided the following response:

The Ministry for Police has advised me:

The 2004/05 State Budget provided for 27 new or refurbished police stations to be built with funding over the next 5 years. The locations mentioned were listed at that time. All currently remain projects that are scheduled to be undertaken.

On 6 June 2006 the Hon. Dr Arthur Chesterfield-Evans asked the Minister for Health a question without notice regarding the Sentinel Events Review Committee mental illness report. The Minister for Health provided the following response:

The Sentinel Events Review Committee is a statutory independent committee.

Whilst the Committee reports directly to the Minister for Health, the Government has no control over the timing or content of these reports.

On 6 June 2006 Mr Ian Cohen asked the Minister for Lands, representing the Minister for Water Utilities, a question without notice regarding the metropolitan water plan. The Minister for Water Utilities provided the following response:

These questions fall within the Portfolio responsibilities of the Minister for the Environment.

On 6 June 2006 Reverend the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes asked the Minister for Emergency Services, representing the Minister for Water Utilities, a question without notice regarding Illawarra waste water strategy. The Minister for Water Utilities provided the following response:

I am advised the NSW Fire Brigade Employees Union has placed a ban on use of the recycled water for fire fighting and BlueScope Steel is not prepared to use the recycled water while there is a ban in place.

On 7 October 2005, NSW Health confirmed to the NSW Fire Brigades that the recycled water for BlueScope is suitable for fire fighting, provided standard precautions are met.

Any further questions relating to industrial negotiations between the NSW Fire Brigades and the Union should be referred to the Minister for Emergency Services.

On 6 June 2006 Reverend the Hon. Fred Nile asked the Minister for Health a question without notice regarding Blacktown Hospital stillborn baby care procedures. The Minister for Health provided the following response:

Current procedures for the management of deceased patients, their bodies and tissues, are informed by a range of policies applied at both State and local level. These are publicly available and include the Public Health (Disposal of Bodies) Regulation 2002, NSW Health's Deaths Register (PD2005_138), Human Tissue Use/Retention including Organ Donation, post-Mortem Examination and Coronial Matters (PD2005_341), and Deaths-Perinatal-Hospital Procedures for Review and Reporting of Perinatal Deaths (PD2006_006).
NSW Health's Stillbirth Investigation Guidelines (GL2005_013) provides guidance for the investigation of a stillbirth so that the cause of death is best understood and the family can be appropriately counselled.

In relation to foetal tissue (i.e., foetuses under 20 weeks of gestation as distinct from stillborn children) there is specific guidance within NSW Health's Human Tissue policy directive on the options for the management of foetal tissue.

NSW Health staff are trained in, and informed of, those policies as appropriate to their designation and professional capacity.

I refer the honourable member to my comments in the House on 6 June and 8 June 2006 regarding the investigation into the stillborn baby, Angelina, at Blacktown Hospital in which I stated that I have directed that the Director-General of NSW Health undertake a review of all guidelines relating to still births.

On 7 June 2006 the Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked the Minister for Primary Industries a question without notice regarding the operations of rural lands protection boards. The Minister for Local Government provided the following response:

The Iemma Government supports certainty and continuity for employees in local government including their insulation from the adverse effects of the Commonwealth's WorkChoices legislation where possible.

The protection from WorkChoices afforded by the recent amendments to the Public Sector Employment Management Act 2002 only extends to employees of the NSW public sector.

Local government employees are not employees of the Crown and are not considered employees of the NSW public sector. Therefore, at present, local government employees are potentially exposed to the worst consequences of WorkChoices.

The Government strongly encourages councils to defer any consideration of WorkChoices until the completion of the High Court proceedings.

The Government believes that until the WorkChoices legislation has been constitutionally examined, there can be no certainty as to whether a decision made by a local council to rely upon the WorkChoices legislation will be legally valid.

Councils are encouraged to work within the industrial relations policy of the New South Wales Government. Their continued reliance on existing industrial arrangements will provide certainty and stability to all concerned.

On 7 June 2006 the Hon. Dr Arthur Chesterfield-Evans asked the Minister for Finance, representing the Attorney General, a question without notice regarding the Sydney markets sale freedom of information application. The Attorney General provided the following response:

Each Government agency is required to make determinations about access to documents in their possession. Any court costs involved in proceedings arising from a review of an agency's determination is a matter for the individual agency. Specific "court costs" connected with FOI determinations are not held by the Attorney General's Department.

On 7 June 2006 Reverend the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes asked the Minister for Natural Resources, representing the Minister for Tourism and Sport and Recreation, a question without notice regarding the Spirit of Tasmania ferry service. The Minister for Tourism and Sport and Recreation provided the following response:

Tourism NSW estimates the proposed closing of the Spirit of Tasmania III ferry service will have little impact on tourism to NSW. Tasmania is a very small market for NSW, and this service was more inclined to attract NSW visitors to Tasmania. Tourists intending to travel from Tasmania to NSW will have the use of another mode of transport for example the ferry service from Devonport to Melbourne and then drive, or to fly direct to Sydney.

Tourism NSW understands that the service is not viable into the future as a result of changing travel patterns and modes due to low cost domestic airfares—in particular the introduction of Jetstar services alongside car rental packages.

The question on the wharf and ferry terminal in Darling Harbour would be best directed to the Minister for Ports and Waterways.

On 8 June 2006 the Hon. Dr Arthur Chesterfield-Evans asked the Minister for Finance, representing the Minister for the Environment, a question without notice regarding Perisher Range Resorts masterplan and ski lodge beds. The Minister for the Environment provided the following response:

The release of these additional beds is part of an overall release of 1,320 beds, including 800 beds for the development of a village centre in Perisher Valley. The Government specifically earmarked 520 of these beds to be made available to existing lessees who provide accommodation at Perisher Range. This is the first step in implementing one of the major findings of the Commission Inquiry into accommodation in the snowfields.

The release of these beds has been eagerly anticipated by all concerned and is vital to the renewal of the Perisher Range resorts and the many clubs and businesses that operate in Perisher, Smiggin Holes and Guthega.

In tandem with the offer of additional beds, the Department of Environment and Conservation has also offered each lessee a new 50-year lease (comprising 20 years with three 10-year options). This is occurring at a time when current leases still have 20 years to run.

The Government must ensure an open and fair process, and a reasonable return to NSW taxpayers through the lease rental charges. It is also important that the new commercial arrangements provide for improved environmental management of lease areas and include lease requirements that are designed to ensure appropriate ongoing management of leased premises within such a fragile alpine environment.

In response to concerns raised by lessees, club members and others, I asked the department to review a range of issues related to the offer package. In response, DEC recently issued an addendum to the expression of interest package that includes some revised rent provisions, various changes to the lease document, and extends the closing date for submissions to 31 July 2006.

I am confident that the lodges and commercial operators will view these changes favourably.

On 8 June 2006 the Hon. Melinda Pavey asked the Minister for Finance a question without notice regarding the Queanbeyan office block construction cost. The Minister for Finance provided the following response:

In late 2004, an economic appraisal and business case gateway review for construction of a Government Service Centre in Queanbeyan with a net lettable area of 4,000 square metres was completed.

At that time, the intention was to accommodate 230 staff from eight agencies. Notional funds of $19 million were allocated. Subsequent investigations led to a decision to accommodate a further five agencies in the building, bringing the total number to thirteen.

Site acquisition, servicing, design, construction and other development costs have since been quantified. Agencies' space requirements require a net lettable area of 6,200 square metres, a 50 per cent increase on previous requirements.

Due to the changes in the number of tenants and subsequent accommodation needs the Queanbeyan Government Service Centre, which was initially scheduled for completion in late 2007, is now scheduled for occupation in the first half of 2008.

As the scale of the building has increased, so has the estimated cost.

The proposed building will provide a "one-stop shop" for government services in the area with the added benefit of shared services between agency tenants.

The building is being designed to achieve at least a 4 Y2 star Australian building greenhouse rating and will reduce greenhouse emissions and tenants' power consumption.

On 8 June 2006 Reverend the Hon. Fred Nile asked the Minister for Finance, representing the Premier, a question without notice regarding same-sex marriage legislation. The Premier provided the following response:

The Commonwealth Government has constitutional power in relation to marriage. The New South Wales Government does not intend to introduce civil union legislation.

Questions without notice concluded.

The Hon. TONY KELLY (Minister for Justice, Minister for Juvenile Justice, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Lands, and Minister for Rural Affairs) [4.04 p.m.]: I move:

That this House do now adjourn.

The Hon. AMANDA FAZIO [4.04 p.m.]: On 19 August I had the pleasure of representing the Premier at the 20th Anniversary Dinner of Arkana College, which is situated at Kingsgrove. Arkana College is a registered and certified independent, non-government, primary school, which was first established in 1960. In 1986 the school was purchased by the Egyptian Islamic Society of New South Wales Inc. From that year, it has been run by an Islamic board of directors.

Arkana College became the first school registered with the New South Wales Board of Studies to introduce Arabic Language, Islamic Studies, and Qur'an Studies as extra-curricular activities. It has done so with a view to becoming an advanced educational institute for Muslim children. Arkana College seeks to achieve its Islamic educational goals in harmony with the wider Australian community and aims to become an advanced educational institute for Muslim children. The school seeks to achieve its Islamic educational goals harmoniously with the surrounding Australian community. The children should be both Muslims and Australian citizens. The school hopes to give them both these values in their education. Working towards this aim does not compromise the school's Islamic ideals in any way. Having both Muslim and non-Muslim staff in the school reflects the mixed society in which Muslim children must live.

As soon as Muslim students are enrolled, they are introduced to Islamic teaching and the teaching of Arabic language according to their level. The school is always searching for ways to improve the quality and quantity of time available for Islamic and Arabic language lessons. In 1995 the school received Commonwealth funding to extend and improve the existing building. This was completed in 1997. In February 2000 a new purpose-built portable building was leased and set up in the grounds of the school. In August 2002 the school purchased the adjoining property to make way for its future development and growth. The vision is to have a double stream K-6 school with a purpose-built building accommodating 300 students. The new development will include a library, computer labs, and a multi-purpose hall.

The school has a strong welfare policy. Numerous students have been recipients of the Hurstville Citizenship Award provided by Hurstville Council. A significant contribution was made to a rural school in northern New South Wales to help with its critical water supply. The school demonstrates its own values and mission in today's society with a sense of pride. The school is proud to sing the school song along with the national anthem at school assemblies, ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day, and other occasions. This year the captains were awarded a certificate of participation. We all appreciate that Australia, and New South Wales in particular, provides the environmental freedom for cultural, educational and religious diversity in harmony within a democratic, institutional framework based on mutual respect for our respective heritage, along with acceptance of our differences. I congratulate all those associated with Arkana College and wish them well in the future.

On Saturday 26 August I had the pleasure of representing the Premier at the Rasika Dance Academy's Bharathanatyam Indian Classical Dance Charity Show to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the academy. It was a great pleasure to see the rich spectacle of sound, colour and movement displayed by the young and talented dancers. Bharathanatyam—or Bharatha Natyam—is a South Indian classical dance form that has developed chiefly in Tamil Nadu over the past 3,000 years. The name "Bharatha Natyam" was coined in the 1930s to represent the three major elements of dance in the three syllables of the word Bharatha-bhava, or facial expression; raga, melody; and tala, rhythm. Bharatha Natyam is known for its rhythmic, vigorous footwork, crisp movements and sculpturesque poses, and combines the energy of its Nritta, or rhythmic movements, with the emotion of its Nritya, or expressive movements.

The young dancers whose abilities were displayed have been trained and educated by the academy from an early age. They are being given the unique opportunity to realise their artistic potential through this demanding form of classical dance whose origins can be traced back some 3,000 years. The Rasika Dance Academy is run by professional dancer and teacher Ms Manjula Viswanath on a not-for-profit basis, assisted by the organisational skills of her husband, Mr Venkat Partha. The academy was originally established in India in 1996 and moved to Sydney in 2001. It teaches Bharathanatyam to children from the age of six and helps them to achieve their artistic potential from introductory to advanced levels.

Ms Viswanath provides the highest standards of training in Bharathanatyam, one of the eight classical, mystical dance forms of India. Ms Viswanath is amongst the most inspired and dedicated Bharathanatyam exponents of her generation. Her experience and expertise, as well as her total devotion to the art, make this beautiful dance form even richer as a result. Ms Viswanath uses discipline and attention to detail to enrich students' creative instincts and sense of style through refined techniques and divinity in classical dance.

The academy's goal is to become one of the finest dance institutions in Australia through teaching dance in its purest form, for the sake of the art and not for financial gain. It also aims at popularising this art among people from various backgrounds. The academy's achievements include having fully trained young students who have now become independent performers. Ms Viswanath and her family have been involved in charity work in India and are doing the same in Australia. More than $3,000 was raised and presented to the Westmead Children's Hospital Cancer Ward on the evening. I thoroughly enjoyed the charity show and commend the organisers for their hard work, and especially Manjula Viswanath for her dedication to such a magnificent form of dance.

The Hon. JENNIFER GARDINER [4.09 p.m.]: I am happy to advise the House of the intention of both The Nationals and the Liberal Party to overhaul the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme [IPTAAS] in New South Wales. This scheme was originally an initiative of the former Federal Minister for Health, The Nationals Minister the Hon. Ralph Hunt, and it has been taken up over time by various State Governments. Unfortunately, under the Carr-Iemma Government, country and coastal patients suffering from cancer and other illnesses in this State have been offered less State government support than patients from any other Australian State receive. Patients have had to travel 200 kilometres one way before being eligible for any financial assistance.

Earlier this year the Carr-Iemma Government backflipped on the scheme after sustained pressure from The Nationals, the community, and patient advocacy groups such as Cancer Voices and the Cancer Council. As a result, from July 2006 the distance criterion was reduced from 200 kilometres to 100 kilometres one way. Despite this backflip, we believe the scheme is still too narrow and bureaucratic, and does not address some key concerns of sick patients and their families. Under the scheme New South Wales patients may only be referred to the nearest specialist, even if that specialist has a waiting list. These delays can be life-threatening. Also, country patients may not be able to access city-based clinical trials that offer curative or life-extending outcomes, or to access medical treatment close to family and friends.

Country and coastal patients still have concerns about Labor's real commitment to them. In his media release announcing the changes to IPTAAS the Minister for Health said, "… the initiative would streamline five existing NSW Health-funded patient transport programs into one scheme". We believe that suggests there is no new funding for the scheme and that the new provisions are merely a repackaging of existing health-related transport schemes and their budgets.

The Liberal-Nationals Coalition will overhaul the scheme to ensure that it provides country and coastal patients real choice of appropriate specialists and treatment centres, which are currently not available within their communities. We will also reduce the financial burden of travel to and from specialist medical care. The Coalition believes that distance should not mean unfair disadvantage. Every person in New South Wales, regardless of where they live, should have access to high-quality health services. Indeed, they are entitled to more than simply access; people living in regional and rural areas should have the same choices that are available to city patients.

Serious illness is stressful enough, without a patient also having to worry about the financial burden of seeking appropriate care. Delays can be life-threatening. We believe that rural and regional New South Wales deserves a travel and accommodation scheme that helps as many eligible patients as possible. Accordingly, a Liberal-Nationals Coalition Government will amend the IPTAAS scheme to provide greater equity for patients from country and coastal areas. We will provide patients with a choice of appropriate specialists and treatment centres to whom they may be referred without jeopardising their eligibility for financial assistance for travel and accommodation.

We will also support the call of the National Rural Health Alliance, a very important rural health advocacy body, for a national review of the various patients' travel and accommodation schemes throughout Australia, with a view to achieving consistency across State borders whilst protecting the level of services provided under the New South Wales scheme. We will also review anomalies between the IPTAAS and home and community care community transport schemes, which are of concern to many people. We will also ensure that we consult with rural and regional health advocacy groups in a further overhaul of the scheme.

The Liberal-Nationals Coalition will ensure that new money is committed to the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme, including an additional $1 million per annum, or $4 million over four years, to allow the patients their choice of specialist and treatment. Funding for this initiative will be provided by cutting waste and expenditure on backroom bureaucracy, and redirecting funds to front-line services. For example, the New South Wales Cabinet Office has an annual budget of $37 million per year. We will abolish the Cabinet Office and transfer its essential functions to the Premier's Department, which itself will be downsized. All savings from this measure will be transferred to front-line services such as the IPTAAS. I am pleased that bodies like Cancer Voices have said, "We welcome The Nationals policy—it should be a basic right of all cancer patients in this State."

The Hon. Jan Burnswoods: Why should they believe you?

The Hon. JENNIFER GARDINER: Because they do, and because we care.

The Hon. TONY CATANZARITI [4.14 p.m.]: Tonight I wish to speak about a great project that was recently commissioned in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area: the Barren Box Swamp and Brays Dam project. Worth more than $28 million, the project will ensure up to 20 gigalitres in water savings each year for the Snowy River system. The 3,200-hectare Barren Box Swamp site is located approximately 30 kilometres north-west of Griffith and is the main irrigation and urban drainage water recycling plant in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. The project's aims include improving the management and efficiency of water storage; improving the reliability and quality of supply to the Wah Wah Irrigation District; restoring a more natural flooding regime, thereby encouraging an ecologically sustainable and diverse wetland; and respecting, preserving and enhancing sites of indigenous significance.

The Barren Box Swamp and Brays Dam project is a great example of local indigenous groups, industry, and government working together towards a common goal. Congratulations go to the Wiradjuri people and Murrumbidgee Irrigation, who worked together with Water for Rivers to bring the project to fruition. Water is our most precious resource, and no-one knows that better than the people who live in rural and regional New South Wales. One such person is Dick Thompson. Dick has been involved in the irrigation industry for most of his life, not only as an irrigator but also as Chair of Murrumbidgee Irrigation, Treasurer of the New South Wales Irrigators Council, and member of the Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority. Indeed, it could be said that what Dick does not know about the Australian irrigation industry is not worth knowing.

Dick has been a longstanding advocate of sustainability for both the environment and industry. Over the years he has worked closely with government to achieve outcomes that recognise the balance needed between the two. Murrumbidgee Irrigation first raised the idea of developing the swamp in 1992, and Dick has described it as a "project that needed to be done". Completed one year ahead of schedule, it consists of three main elements and represents a new direction for improved water management using innovative infrastructure projects. The three main elements of the project are, first, the splitting of Barren Box Swamp into three cells, which include an active storage cell of 1,230 hectares with a storage volume of 24,500 megalitres, an intermediate storage cell of 320 hectares with a storage volume of 4,500 megalitres, and a wetland cell covering 1,650 hectares or 50 per cent of the site; second, the widening of the Wah Wah main channel; and third, the construction of an en-route storage cell adjacent to Brays Dam on Mirrool Creek.

A significant number of environmental positives have occurred as a result of the completion of this project. The rehabilitation of the wetlands has promoted natural vegetation growth and the return of land and aquatic fauna, water quality is improved due to reduced surface area, and more rapid turnover and noxious weed control is also improved. Barren Box Swamp is clearly a win-win for all: a project by rural people for the community and the environment, proving that people involved in agriculture place great importance on sustainability and are doing everything they can. It is a project that members of the Greens and the so-called environmentalists should leave their concrete jungles and smog to come and see.

I firmly believe that no-one knows the land better than those of us who live in rural and regional Australia. It is an integral part of our life; we work with it every day. So I say to the members of the Greens: Rather than dictate to the people of country New South Wales from your high-rises, get out to the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area and see what rural people are doing to protect the environment. Perhaps then you will actually congratulate these people and recognise the work they are doing. My thanks go to the local community and Murrumbidgee Irrigation, who pushed for this project to go ahead. They are true visionaries and a great example of the desire that exists in rural areas to improve the sustainability of industry and the environment.

Ms LEE RHIANNON [4.19 p.m.]: When I was in Lithgow recently I met Wayne Howell, a former employee in the funeral industry. For more than four years from 1988 Mr Howell worked in the crematorium at the Pine Grove Memorial Park, in Western Sydney. Mr Howell's duties included the cremation of bodies and the gathering of ashes. During his time at Pine Grove Mr Howell performed these duties as instructed by his employer. Among other things, Mr Howell was instructed to cremate multiple bodies at the same time, to cremate babies with adults, and to dispose of excess ashes in garbage bins. As Mr Howell later discovered, this standard practice at Pine Grove Memorial Park was far from the legally sanctioned practice. The practice was emotionally and psychologically damaging for Mr Howell and would be devastating for the families of the deceased if they were aware that their loved ones had been treated in such an undignified way.

I met with Mr Howell a couple of weeks ago and heard his story. I have also talked with a colleague of Mr Howell's who confirmed the details of Mr Howell's story. Mr Howell asked me to read in Parliament a letter that I received from him. He wrote:

I always thought multiple cremations were normal practice and I was shown how to put more than one body in the oven at a time. I did this for 4 years. We were cremating babies and children with adults. Whatever ashes that did not fit into the cremated remains boxes (which were well over 90 per cent of the time) were dumped into garbage bins and then disposed of into graves which were already pre-dug out the back of the crematorium. On many occasions after putting the last body in the oven to be cremated for the day, if the oven was not hot enough to bum that body off overnight we would have to cremate the rest of it the next day. The smell of bodies and watching them burn is unpleasant as it is, but having to turn bodies to fit babies' caskets next to them, was intolerable and traumatic. I have been told that all of this was done to save on operating costs. These practices were happening years before I commenced employment at Pine Grove Memorial Park and years after I finished. This is confirmed by another former employee who is reluctant to come forward because of the confidentiality agreement he signed. What gave Pine Grove Memorial Park the right to have me commit these acts? They have destroyed me emotionally, with torment, the nightmares and the guilt. I am a very tired and worn out person and I have to live with the anxiety and depression for the rest of my life. I have absolutely nothing to gain by lying about something of such a serious nature. Hopefully the truth is exposed so I can have some peace of mind.

Mr Howell' s letter goes on to say that items were also taken from the deceased—an action that the Health Department informed him is a criminal offence. He also told me that his solicitor wrote to WorkCover about the practices he saw going on but that WorkCover failed to act on his concerns. Mr Howell performed these duties at Pine Grove Memorial Park for four years, without realising they were not sanctioned practices. When he found out, Mr Howell was told to keep silent. He was asked to sign a confidentiality agreement by his employers and told not to disclose these practices. Mr Howell refused to sign that confidentiality agreement and now he wants his story heard.

Mr Howell wrote to the recent inquiry into the funeral industry conducted by the Standing Committee on Social Issues, which reported on 9 December 2005. The inquiry heard about the market concentration in the funeral industry and received a raft of submissions calling for increased regulation of the funeral industry in the interests of public health and to protect consumers and employees like Mr Howell. Given the sensitive nature of the funeral industry, there is a special onus on government to make sure that the industry is closely regulated and operates to the highest standards. The Standing Committee on Social Issues recommended a move to an industry-wide mandatory code of practice consistent with current consumer and health regulations. The Government has rejected this recommendation. I thank Mr Howell and congratulate him on coming forward with his story.

The Hon. MELINDA PAVEY [4.24 p.m.]: Tonight I inform the House of a fabulous community service and the wonderful work of the ACT Eden Monaro Cancer Support Group. For many families living in the area of Queanbeyan, Yass and beyond, the ACT Eden Monaro Cancer Support Group is a source of strength and support for those struggling with the uncertainty of cancer and the financial burdens associated with cancer treatment. For more than 20 years the support group has provided financial assistance to families in New South Wales. It provides a service for the things that really make a difference for people in their darkest hours when they are trying to cope at a very scary time in their lives.

It is able to provide money to pay for electricity bills, for nutritious food, for hospital visits, for taxis to the hospital and for the occasional tank of petrol for visits to the doctor. It is with the help of volunteers that this group is able to keep on caring for cancer patients. For this year alone, with more than 700 families reaching out for help in the region, the founder, Yvonne Cushcheiri, needs approximately $250,000 to assist those in need. With the help of the community this organisation is able to continue its great work, but it needs more assistance, and it is looking to the State Government for help.

Recently this matter was brought to my attention by The Nationals candidate for Monaro, David Madew, who lost his mother in very sad circumstances. His mother, Barbara Madew, was a great fundraiser in the local community. I have discussed the matter with members of the group and the honourable member for Burrinjuck, Katrina Hodgkinson, and both David and Katrina have reported that they look forward to working with the group in the future to assist with its valuable work. Today I asked the Minister for Health a question relating to the funding requirements of the service. However, at this point the New South Wales Government is unable to commit to supporting the group financially to ensure it continues to provide such services to cancer sufferers for another 20 years. This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the establishment of the group. The Australian Capital Territory Government continues to give valuable support to the group, and it would be greatly appreciated if the State Government were able to match the level of commitment.

During their recent visit to Queanbeyan, members of the New South Wales Cabinet met with members of the support group. The Minister for Health, John Hatzistergos, was late arriving at the meeting and gave the distinct impression that he did not want to be there—that is according to people who were present. He commented that he had not heard of the group, and those who attended the meeting felt that doing so had been a complete waste of their time. They were disappointed by the attitude of the Minister for Health.

This is yet another example of the arrogance of this tired State Labor Government. After 11 years in government, members of its Cabinet do not even have the decency to conduct some research into an organisation before meeting with its members. I am also very disappointed that the honourable member for Monaro, Steve Whan, has not returned phone calls from the organisation since that Cabinet visit—further proof that Mr Whan is poorly representing his constituents and is unwilling to put their case to the Government.

Organisations such as the ACT Eden Monaro Cancer Support Group that have been providing financial support for families struggling for many years with the financial burdens imposed by cancer treatment deserve significant recognition for the great work they undertake. I have asked the Minister and the Government to change their position and to guarantee the group that it will have the support of The Nationals candidate, David Madew, after the next New South Wales State election.

In closing, I acknowledge the efforts of Yvonne Cushcheiri, who has now stepped down from working with the ACT Eden Monaro Cancer Support Group. She plans to spend her retirement enjoying the company of her four children and nine grandchildren. She founded the group in 1986 and commenced by raising $10,000 to help 13 local children suffering with cancer attend a camp. In the 2005-06 financial year the group helped 706 patients and their families and raised more than $227,000. Major fundraisers have included the Hawaiian Shirt Day, Convoy for Cancer and Sportsmen's Dinner. It is because of people like Yvonne that we have good communities, and we acknowledge and recognise the fabulous work that she has done, including the bringing together of such major sponsors as ActewAGL, the Capital Chemist group and radio station FM104.7. Particular mention should be made of the contribution of the Queanbeyan Leagues Club, which has been a great community contributor from the establishment of the group's activities. Thank you, Yvonne, for your great contribution and for the wonderful work of the ACT Eden Monaro Cancer Support Group.

Reverend the Hon. FRED NILE [4.29 p.m.]: I wish to speak about a very important matter that has been at the centre of our parliamentary activities today and will cause this House to adjourn in a few moments: industrial action by the Public Service Association [PSA], the union that represents the employees of this Parliament. There have been some recent, in my view, misleading media reports suggesting that the Government has initiated cuts in the budget of the Parliament to remove some of the perks of members. Reference has been made to a luxury catering service, for example. That has nothing to do with the reason for my support of the PSA. This is not about whether members of Parliament get a luxury lunch, it is about 40—and, who knows, maybe 60—people, many of whom have served this Parliament for decades, who are about to find themselves out of work.

Honourable members should think about the magnitude of the cuts. The figure of $2.8 million equates to 10 per cent of the budget—a budget over which management has some discretion. How many organisations can continue to provide a first-class service with that sort of reduction to their resources? There seems to be an error in the approach taken by the Treasurer to these cuts. He has failed to understand that of the total parliamentary budget of $110 million, $75 million is totally mandated in that it consists of the salaries and entitlements of members of Parliament and the salaries of their staff. That part of the budget cannot be cut as it is set independently of the Parliament by the Parliamentary Remuneration Tribunal. I believe the Treasurer has looked at the total parliamentary budget of $110 million in determining this cut, which he may not regard as such a big cut. In my view that is not fair. It should be a cut to the budget that actually runs the Parliament, which is about $30 million, that is being forced on the Parliament.

I hope the extent of the cuts will be reviewed. Indeed, I call on the Government to cancel them. I ask that last year's budget be restored, perhaps with some minor adjustments, and that further negotiation and calm discussion take place on the issue. We do not want any serious damage done to this parliamentary institution. Various concerns in that regard have been expressed to me in my discussions with staff, some of whom have been here for 5, 10, 15 and 20 years. The many staff of the Parliament build up their corporate knowledge and understand the Parliament, its conventions and its culture, and are able to provide an excellent service to all members of Parliament. One can only imagine the difficulties involved in that given the different political parties with which they have to deal—the Liberal Party, the Labor Party and the many Independent members. Yet the staff deal with all members fairly and provide a first-class service.

Staff have been asked for expressions of interest with respect to voluntary redundancy. I am not trying to incite a revolt by staff by raising this matter, but I advise the House that some staff have said, in response to a question from me whether they are happy with the situation, that considerable pressure is being placed on them to accept voluntary redundancy. Applications for redundancy are supposed to be voluntary but, as we know happens in the commercial world, pressure can be placed on certain individuals to make them feel that they have no other option but to put their name down for voluntary redundancy.

I understand that already 55 expressions of interest have been received from staff members of the Parliament. Management have identified 20 positions already for deletion—which means cancelling the positions and sacking the people in those positions. Consultation with unions about those positions and the impact on remaining staff has already commenced. Obviously if 20 positions are abolished, any staff remaining will have to take on an extra load. This could apply to the very staff who run the Legislative Council, our Clerks and committee personnel. One Government member said that perhaps we have too many parliamentary committees. In response to that I said that it is the right of this House to decide its own business, and it must not be said that we cannot establish a committee because we do not have the money to staff it. A number of positions have been identified for abolition: three in the Legislative Council, three in the Legislative Assembly, two in the Parliamentary Library, one in Security, and four in Building Services—making a total of 13 positions. We have voluntary redundancies and cancellations. I call on the Government to restore the Parliament's budget and not insist on the proposed cuts.

[Time for debate expired.]

Motion agreed to.