PARLIAMENT OF NEW SOUTH WALES
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
1994
FOURTH SESSION OF THE FIFTIETH PARLIAMENT

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
No. 21

FRIDAY 13 MAY 1994

[The Questions and Answers Paper published for the first sitting day in each week will contain, by number and title, all unanswered questions, together with questions to which answers have been received on the previous sitting and any new questions. On subsequent days, new questions are printed, as are questions to which answers were received the previous day. Consequently the full text of any question will be printed only twice: when notice is given; and, when answered.]

[Pursuant to the Sessional Order adopted by the House on 1 March 1994, Members shall be permitted to lodge 3 questions on notice per sitting day accumulative over one sitting week, provided that the Leader of the Opposition shall be permitted to lodge 4 questions on notice per sitting day. Ministers shall lodge answers to questions on notice within 35 calendar days after the question is first published and such answer shall be published.]
Page 1040

PUBLICATION OF QUESTION	ANSWER TO BE LODGED BY
Q. & A. No. 10 (Including Question Nos 740 to 781)	17 May 1994
Q. & A. No. 11 (Including Question Nos 782 to 798)	18 May 1994
Q. & A. No. 12 (Including Question Nos 799 to 887)	19 May 1994
Q. & A. No. 13 (Including Question Nos 888 to 902)	24 May 1994
Q. & A. No. 14 (Including Question Nos 903 to 930)	25 May 1994
Q. & A. No. 15 (Including Question Nos 931 to 1013)	26 May 1994
Q. & A. No. 16 (Including Question Nos 1014 to 1027)	7 June 1994
Q. & A. No. 17 (Including Question Nos 1028 to 1050)	8 June 1994
Q. & A. No. 18 (Including Question Nos 1051 to 1093)	9 June 1994
Q. & A. No. 19 (Including Question Nos 1094 to 1105)	14 June 1994
Q. & A. No. 20 (Including Question Nos 1106 to 1122)	15 June 1994
Q. & A. No. 21 (Including Question Nos 1123 to 1176)	16 June 1994

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Notice of Question given on the date shown

12 APRIL 1994

(Paper No. 10)

*765 CARDIFF AND LAMBTON POLICE STRENGTHS—Mr Mills asked the Minister for Police and Minister for Emergency Services—

(1) At each of Lambton and Cardiff Police Stations, what are the:
(a) Current staffing strengths?
(b) Authorised staffing strengths?
(2) What are the reasons for any shortfall in current staffing?
(3) When will any shortfalls be addressed?

Answer—

(1) (a) Cardiff 8 as at 29 April 1994
Lambton 1 as at 29 April 1994
(b) Cardiff 8 as at 29 April 1994
Lambton 2 as at 29 April 1994
(2) A constable previously attached to Lambton Police Station has transferred to the Central Coast.
(3) It is anticipated the vacancy will be filled prior to the end of June 1994.

14 APRIL 1994

(Paper No. 12)

*812 GRIEF COUNSELLING—SOUTH WESTERN SYDNEY AREA HEALTH SERVICE—Mr Anderson asked the Minister for Health—

(1) What grief counselling services are provided by South Western Sydney Area Health Service?
(2) Where are any such services located and in what form are they provided?
(3) Are grief counselling services not available at Liverpool Hospital?
(4) (a) Will urgent steps be taken to provide such services at Liverpool?
(b) If not, why not?

Answer—

(1) and (2) Acute grief counselling services are provided by all public hospitals within the South Western Sydney Area Health Service, generally through the social work departments and/or the Mental Health Units. There are also two staff counsellors based at Liverpool Hospital who provide grief counselling services to staff members. In the community, grief counselling is provided by primary health nurses, palliative care teams, child and family teams, mental health teams and the geriatric assessment teams.
At Liverpool Hospital social workers are assigned to specific areas and provide grief counselling in trauma, oncology, paediatric, maternity, rehabilitation and sexual assault cases.

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Post-acute counselling required in the Liverpool Local Government area is provided by community services and non-Government agencies within the area. In addition, a number of specialist counselling services outside the area such as that at Westmead Hospital and the Bereavement Care Centre based at Lewisham, are utilised as required. It should be highlighted that STARTS (Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors) is a statewide service and is based at Fairfield.
Funding has been approved recently for the Palliative Care Team to employ a social worker to be based in the Bankstown area to provide some bereavement counselling. Advertising to fill the approved position will occur in the near future.
In addition, there are a number of non-Government agencies which provide grief counselling services in the South Western Sydney Area Health Service. These include the Sydney City Mission in the Campbelltown area, the Wingecarribee Grief Counselling Service, Pastoral care services attached to hospitals, NALAG (National Association for Loss and Grief) based in the Fairfield area, SOLACE—a national group specifically targeting women who have lost their spouses and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) which is a national group with representatives in the South Western Sydney Area.
(3) and (4) Grief counselling services are available at Liverpool Hospital and elsewhere in the South Western Sydney Area Health Service.

*831 ESCORT AGENCIES OPERATION—Mr Gaudry asked the Minister for Police and Minister for Emergency Services—

In relation to the recent raid by police on escort agencies which resulted in arrests under the Summary Offences Act—
(1) Who originated the order that this operation was to take place?
(2) How many police were involved in the operation?
(3) Which patrols did these police come from?
(4) How many persons were arrested and for what offences?
(5) Were any clients of the escort agencies in attendance at the time of the arrests?
(6) If so, were these clients guilty of any offence?
(7) Was there any relationship between this operation and recent complaints raised with the Minister by "The Ladies" of Zaara's Escorts?

Answer—

(1) Chief Superintendent Moeller, Commander, Hunter Police District.
(2) 54.
(3) Newcastle, Charlestown, Belmont, Toronto, Wallsend, Waratah and the Special Operations Group, Hunter.
(4) 22 persons arrested and a total of 30 charges preferred for:
•live off earnings of prostitutes;
•solicit for prostitution;
•allow premises to be used for prostitution;
•goods in custody; and
•drug offences.
(5) Yes.
(6) No.
(7) No.

Page 1043
*881 MIFSUD REPRESENTATION—Mr Thompson asked the Minister for Health—

(1) Has the representation made on behalf of Ms Helen Mifsud of 1/123 The Grand Parade, Brighton-Le-Sands, on 4 January 1994, to the Complaints Manager, NSW Health Department been investigated?
(2) If not, when will it be investigated?
(3) If this representation has been dealt with or is being dealt with, when will the Member for Rockdale be advised of the outcome?

Answer—

(1) The complaint made by Ms Mifsud has been extensively investigated and reviewed by senior staff of the Complaints Unit. The further representations made by the Member for Rockdale have been received in the Unit and a detailed response has been forwarded to the Member for Rockdale.
(2) The complaint has been investigated.
(3) The Complaints Unit has written directly to the Member for Rockdale.

19 APRIL 1994

(Paper No. 13)

*899 HIGHWAY PATROL TRANSFERS—Mr Newman asked the Minister for Police and Minister for Emergency Services—

(1) What are the plans for highway patrol officers and equipment to be transferred from local police station locations to district headquarters?
(2) What is the situation facing the current units at Cabramatta and Fairfield Police Station?
(3) Will any such transfer of highway patrol units be replaced with other police units to make up the shortfall of expected loss of overall police numbers?

Answer—

(1) I understand there were initial plans to relocate highway patrol units and their equipment. However, it has been decided to operate these units from their present locations.
(2) and (3) See response to (1).

20 APRIL 1994

(Paper No. 14)

*911 PHYSICAL DISABILITIES FUNDING—HUNTER REGION SCHOOLS—Mr Gaudry asked the Minister for Industrial Relations and Employment and Minister for the Status of Women representing the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Minister for Tourism and Minister Assisting the Premier—

In relation to funding provided for integration of students with physical disabilities in Hunter region schools—
(1) How is the decision made to grant integration assistance?
(2) Who participates in the decision?

Page 1044

(3) Where assistance is granted, is it for:
(a) The school life of the student?
(b) For a set period subject to review?
(4) Where medical evidence clearly shows that a student will require assistance over their school life, will the Department guarantee to provide that assistance?
(5) If not, why not?

Answer—

(1) In consultation with parents and their school counsellor, schools apply to a local Integration Committee for integration assistance. Hunter has four local Integration Committees which are based in the Education Resource Centres. Integration Committees consider eligibility for assistance based on assessment information provided by the school and determine the amount of support provided on the basis of assessed need and other support available to the school.
(2) Integration Committees are comprised of the Education Resource Centre Manager of Student Services, at least one local school principal, a director of schools, a school counsellor or district guidance officer and a community representative. The community representative is usually either a parent of a child with a disability or a representative of an agency which assists children with disabilities.
(3) (a) and (b) Integration assistance is reviewed at least twice each year and is only continued for as long as it is required.
(4) Where medical evidence clearly shows that assistance is required, all reasonable efforts are made to provide that assistance. If extra integration assistance is deemed essential for a school to successfully support a student, such assistance is provided for as long as it continues to be required.
(5) Integration assistance is removed if the student's need for it no longer exists or if other support is available to assist the student.

*918 WAVERLEY AND RANDWICK—CAR THEFT AND BREAK, ENTER AND STEAL CASES—Mr Page asked the Minister for Police and Minister for Emergency Services—

(1) How many motor vehicles were reported stolen at the Waverley and Randwick Police Stations for the years:
(a) 1990?
(b) 1991?
(c) 1992?
(d) 1993?
(2) How many persons were charged with car theft at the Waverley and Randwick Police Station for the years:
(a) 1990?
(b) 1991?
(c) 1992?
(d) 1993?

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(3) How many reports of break, enter and steal were made at the Waverley and Randwick Police Stations for the years:
(a) 1990?
(b) 1991?
(c) 1992?
(d) 1993?
(4) How many persons were charged with break, enter and steal at the Waverley and Randwick Police Stations for the years:
(a) 1990?
(b) 1991?
(c) 1992?
(d) 1993?

Answer—

(1)

Vehicles Stolen	1990	1991	1992	1993
Randwick Patrol	675	476	408	472
Waverley Patrol	475	401	300	302

(2) Waverley Patrol—Has "On Line Charging Facility".
(a) 5
(b) 15
(c) 33
(d) 59
Randwick Patrol—Figures are not available.
(a) to (d) Randwick Patrol is a non-charging station. Charges emanating from that patrol are normally processed through Maroubra or Waverley Police Station.
(3)

Break, Enter and Steal	1990	1991	1992	1993
Randwick Patrol	892	861	744	860
Waverley Patrol	737	721	575	692

(4) Waverley Patrol—Has "On Line Charging Facility".
(a) 64
(b) 57
(c) 42
(d) 76
Randwick Patrol—Figures are not available.
(a) to (d) Randwick Patrol is a non-charging station. Charges emanating from that patrol are normally processed through Maroubra or Waverley Police Station.

Page 1046
12 MAY 1994

(Paper No. 21)

1123 OTFORD SEWERAGE—Ms Allan to ask the Minister for Land and Water Conservation representing the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing—

(1) Has the Water Board abandoned plans to sewer the village of Otford?
(2) Was this decision taken after extensive canvassing of residents and distribution of a community newsletter which led residents to believe that sewerage would be provided?
(3) Did the former Minister for Environment, Tim Moore, commit the Government to sewering Otford in 1991/92?
(4) In view of the pollution of local waterways from sewage effluent, will he review the Water Board's decision and assure Otford residents that sewerage will go ahead as previously planned?
(5) If not, why not?

1124 BEIJING CONFERENCE—Ms Allan to ask the Minister for Industrial Relations and Employment and Minister for the Status of Women—

(1) What action is the Government taking to support the United Nations Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995?
(2) What consultation has occurred with State women's organisations to ensure they will be represented at the conference?
(3) What financial assistance will you provide for women to attend the conference?

1125 MINISTRY FOR THE STATUS AND ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN STAFF—Ms Allan to ask the Minister for Industrial Relations and Employment and Minister for the Status of Women—

(1) How many staff are employed in the Ministry for the status and advancement of women?
(2) How many male and female officers are employed?
(3) What positions do they hold?
(4) How many consultancies have been issued by your Ministry since its establishment?
(5) How much was each consultancy worth, what was the purpose, and to whom was the consultancy issued?

1126 PEBBLY BEACH CAMPING SITES—Ms Allan to ask the Minister for the Environment—

(1) Is the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) intending to take over land at Pebbly Beach for purposes of establishing a camping area?
(2) Is he aware that such a move by the NPWS will deprive Mr Jack Higgins, who manages the present camping area for the NPWS, of his home and business?
(3) Is he further aware that the area coveted by the NPWS for camping is a pristine piece of land, currently maintained by Jack Higgins?
(4) Are several camping areas in the area under-patronised including Depot Beach which is approximately 1 kilometre from Pebbly Beach?
(5) Will he take action to ensure that Jack Higgins does not lose his business and home and instruct the NPWS to develop other camping sites?

Page 1047
1127 WORKCOVER AUTHORITY CLAIMS—Mr Amery to ask the Minister for Industrial Relations and Employment and Minister for the Status of Women—

How many claims have been lodged with the WorkCover Authority for each of the past 4 years?

1128 M4 SPEED LIMIT REVIEW—Mr Anderson to ask the Minister for Transport and Minister for Roads—

(1) Will he review the 90 km/h speed limit on the three-laned M4 between Homebush Bay Drive and Silverwater Road?
(2) Why is the speed limit lower on this part of the M4 when the two-laned section between Wentworthville and Emu Plains is 110 km/h?
(3) How does the accident history for both sections compare and how is it argued that the potential for major accidents differs?

1129 LIVERPOOL/FAIRFIELD COMMITTEE TRANSPORT SCHEME—Mr Anderson to ask the Minister for Transport and Minister for Roads—

(1) When was the Liverpool/Fairfield Community Transport Scheme established?
(2) What funding and from what source has it been received by the scheme in each financial year since its inception?
(3) Does the scheme provide transport for frail, aged, disabled and sick people from the electorate of Liverpool to doctors' appointments and hospitals, including Westmead, for specialist treatment?
(4) Has the service been recently cut back due to increasing clients which have not been matched by increased funding?
(5) (a) Will he take urgent steps to address the problem?
(b) If not, why not?

1130 "KEEP LEFT UNLESS OVERTAKING" RULE—Mr Anderson to ask the Minister for Transport and Minister for Roads—

(1) Did a Roads and Traffic Authority survey find that many drivers complained about other drivers disobeying the "Keep Left Unless Overtaking" rule?
(2) Why has the Roads and Traffic Authority failed to properly educate the public about this rule?
(3) What public education campaigns will be undertaken in 1994/95 to address this major problem?
(4) (a) Will similar signs be installed on the M4 as provided on the Sydney to Newcastle Freeway?
(b) If not, why not?
(5) Does a Roads and Traffic Authority publication "Road User Safety" suggest that the rule may be made advisory only to conform with a draft national road code?
(6) (a) Will he ensure that the rule is retained and enforced?
(b) If not, why not?

Page 1048
1131 PRIORITY HOUSING ASSISTANCE INTERVIEWS—Mr Anderson to ask the Minister for Land and Water Conservation representing the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing—

(1) Why are applicants for priority housing assistance having to wait almost 2 months for an interview by the Department of Housing?
(2) What steps will be taken to ensure priority housing applicants are urgently interviewed?

1132 POLICE RADIO STAFF—Mr Anderson to ask the Minister for Police and Minister for Emergency Services—

How many—

(a) police; and
(b) civilians;

are attached to each police radio (VKG) location in New South Wales?

1133 "KEEP LEFT UNLESS OVERTAKING" INFRINGEMENTS—Mr Anderson to ask the Minister for Police and Minister for Emergency Services—

(1) How many infringement notices have been issued by police for the offence of failing to "Keep Left Unless Overtaking" on the M4:
(a) Since 1 July 1993?
(b) In 1992/93?
(2) Why are police not enforcing that law given the severe impact it has on traffic flow and the accident potential it creates?

1134 POLICE HELICOPTER REPLACEMENT—Mr Anderson to ask the Minister for Police and Minister for Emergency Services—

(1) When will each of the three single-engined New South Wales police helicopters be replaced?
(2) What financial provision has been made to undertake such replacements?

1135 TASK FORCE ALPHA REPORT—Mr Anderson to ask the Minister for Police and Minister for Emergency Services—

(1) When was the report of Task Force Alpha completed?
(2) How many recommendations are contained in that report?
(3) What action has been taken with regard to each recommendation?

1136 STRIP SEARCHES—Mr Anderson to ask the Minister for Police and Minister for Emergency Services—

(1) What is the current policy allowing strip searches by police of:
(a) Females?
(b) Males?
(2) (a) Did the Ombudsman recommend changes to the policy?
(b) If so, when?

Page 1049

(3) In response to those recommendations by the Ombudsman, what action:
(a) Has been taken?
(b) Is proposed to be taken and when it will be taken?

1137 SCHOOLS BUDGET—GENERAL OPERATIONS—Mr Aquilina to ask the Minister for Industrial Relations and Employment and Minister for the Status of Women representing the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Minister for Tourism and Minister Assisting the Premier—

What proportion of the statewide amount allocated by the Department of School Education to school global budgets in 1994 is allocated to general operations grants for primary schools and high schools respectively?

1138 SCHOOLS BUDGET—STAFF DEVELOPMENT—Mr Aquilina to ask the Minister for Industrial Relations and Employment and Minister for the Status of Women representing the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Minister for Tourism and Minister Assisting the Premier—

What proportion of the statewide amount allocated by the Department of School Education to school global budgets in 1994 is allocated to staff development grants for primary schools and high schools respectively?

1139 SCHOOLS BUDGET—UTILITIES FUNDING—Mr Aquilina to ask the Minister for Industrial Relations and Employment and Minister for the Status of Women representing the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Minister for Tourism and Minister Assisting the Premier—

What proportion of the statewide amount allocated by the Department of School Education to school global budgets in 1994 is allocated to utilities funding grants for primary schools and high schools respectively?

1140 PRIMARY SCHOOLS BUDGET CALCULATIONS—Mr Aquilina to ask the Minister for Industrial Relations and Employment and Minister for the Status of Women representing the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Minister for Tourism and Minister Assisting the Premier—

(1) How is the per capita component of a primary school's global budget assessed by the Department of School Education?
(2) Is a base sum allocated to each school?
(3) If so, how is this assessed?
(4) How is the general operations grant for each school calculated?
(5) How is the staff development component calculated?
(6) How is the utilities funding component calculated?
(7) Are any other factors considered in allocating the global budget and if so, what are they and how are they calculated?

Page 1050
1141 HIGH SCHOOLS BUDGET CALCULATIONS—Mr Aquilina to ask the Minister for Industrial Relations and Employment and Minister for the Status of Women representing the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Minister for Tourism and Minister Assisting the Premier—

(1) How is the per capita component of a high school's global budget assessed by the Department of School Education?
(2) Is a base sum allocated to each school?
(3) If so, how is this assessed?
(4) How is the general operations grant for each school calculated?
(5) How is the staff development component calculated?
(6) How is the utilities funding component calculated?
(7) Are any other factors considered in allocating the global budget and if so, what are they and how are they calculated?

1142 SCHOOL FEES—ELECTORATE OF CHARLESTOWN—Mr Face to ask the Minister for Industrial Relations and Employment and Minister for the Status of Women representing the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Minister for Tourism and Minister Assisting the Premier—

What school fees are charged for the following schools in the electorate of Charlestown:
(a) Kotara High?
(b) Whitebridge High?
(c) Warners Bay High?
(d) Gateshead High?

1143 SINGLETON GREYHOUND MEETING CHARGE—Mr Face to ask the Minister for Sport, Recreation and Racing—

(1) On 11 March 1994, at Singleton Greyhound meeting, was a Mr R. Williams, Lot 11, New England Highway, Lochinvar, charged by stewards and fined?
(2) What was the offence for which Mr R. Williams was charged?
(3) What rule was Mr Williams in breach of?
(4) What penalty was imposed on Mr Williams?
(5) Are there appeal provisions available to Mr Williams to challenge the validity of this alleged offence?
(6) If an appeal mechanism is available, what is the process?
(7) If there are no appeal provisions, is this a just and fair process?
(8) In the absence of an appeal process, will he instigate proceedings to have included into the rules provisions to ensure natural justice is available to those charged as being in breach of the rules?

1144 FORMER CROWN LAND TRANSFER FEE—Mr Harrison to ask the Minister for Land and Water Conservation—

(1) Does the Department of Conservation and Land Management impose a transfer fee on former Crown land used for residential purposes each time the land is sold?
(2) How much revenue is expected to be raised by the fee in 1993/94?
(3) What are the administration costs for collecting the fee?

Page 1051
1145 SCHOOL FEES—ELECTORATE OF LAKE MACQUARIE—Mr Hunter to ask the Minister for Industrial Relations and Employment and Minister for the Status of Women representing the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Minister for Tourism and Minister Assisting the Premier—

What school fees are charged at the following schools in the electorate of Lake Macquarie:
(a) West Wallsend High?
(b) Lake Macquarie High?
(c) Toronto High?
(d) Morisset High?
(e) West Wallsend Public?
(f) Barnsly Public?
(g) Teralba Public?
(h) Boolaroo Public?
(i) Speers Point Public?
(j) Biddabah Public?
(k) Booragal Public?
(l) Fennell Bay Public?
(m) Fassifern Public?
(n) Blackalls Park Public?
(o) Toronto Public?
(p) Biraban Public?
(q) Coal Point Public?
(r) Awaba Public?
(s) Rathmines Public?
(t) Arcadia Vale Public?
(u) Wangi Wangi Public?
(v) Eraring Public?
(w) Dora Creek Public?
(x) Cooranbong Community?
(y) Bonnells Bay Public?
(z) Morisset Public?
(aa) Wyee Public?

1146 PORT KEMBLA CASUALTY—Mr Markham to ask the Minister for Health—

(1) Has a direction been given to staff in the Casualty Department of the Port Kembla Campus of the Wollongong Hospital to overtly or covertly discourage attendance by people who live out of the Port Kembla area?
(2) If so, is this being done to reduce numbers attending Casualty at Port Kembla to justify the closure of this facility?

1147 PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS—ILLAWARRA AREA HEALTH SERVICE—Mr Markham to ask the Minister for Health—

(1) How many patients were admitted to psychiatric clinics operated by the Illawarra Area Health Service during:
(a) 1990?
(b) 1991?
(c) 1992?
(d) 1993?
(e) So far in 1994?

Page 1052

(2) Where were these patients accommodated?
(3) How many patients were transferred to psychiatric hospitals in Sydney from the Illawarra Area Health Service area during:
(a) 1990?
(b) 1991?
(c) 1992?
(d) 1993?
(e) So far in 1994?

1148 RESPITE BEDS—ELECTORATE OF KEIRA—Mr Markham to ask the Minister for Health—

(1) How many respite beds exist in the electorate of Keira for:
(a) Intellectually disabled children?
(b) Intellectually disabled adults?
(c) Physically disabled children?
(d) Physically disabled adults?
(2) What is the recognised age for intellectually and physically disabled children to be categorised as "adult"?
(3) Are respite beds in the electorate of Keira being used on a long-term basis for disabled people who require permanent or long-term accommodation because of the lack of appropriate accommodation for physically and intellectually disabled adults?
(4) If so:
(a) How many?
(b) For how long?
(c) What steps are being taken to provide appropriate accommodation for these disabled people?
(d) Are bookings made by parents for their children being cancelled due to inappropriate use of these beds?
(e) When will these beds be freed-up for their designated respite use?

1149 ILLAWARRA HOSPITAL PATIENTS—Mr Markham to ask the Minister for Health—

(1) For the 12-month period to 30 April 1994, what was the highest number of patients on any 1 day in:
(a) The Illawarra Hospital Wollongong Campus?
(b) The Illawarra Hospital Port Kembla Campus?
(2) What was the biggest number of patients on any 1 day in each of these hospital campuses during the preceding 12-month period?
(3) What was the lowest number of patients on any day during the 12-month period to 30 April 1994 at:
(a) The Illawarra Hospital Wollongong Campus?
(b) The Illawarra Hospital Port Kembla Campus?
(4) What was the lowest number of patients on any 1 day in each of these hospital campuses during the preceding 12-month period?
(5) During the 12-month period to 30 April 1994, what was the average number of people in:
(a) The Illawarra Hospital Wollongong Campus?
(b) The Illawarra Hospital Port Kembla Campus?
(6) What was the average number of people in each of these hospital campuses during the preceding 12-month period?

Page 1053

1150 LEAD STUDY—ILLAWARRA CHILDREN—Mr Markham to ask the Minister for Health—

(1) Is he aware:
(a) That the NSW Department of Health will conduct a further lead study into children in the Port Kembla/Warrawong/Cringila areas to commence on 6 June 1994?
(b) That the previous study done through Healthy Cities Illawarra in 1989 across some 130 children, when the National Health and Medical Research Council limit was 20 ug/dl, showed that their mean level of lead was 17 micrograms per decilitre (17 ug/dl)?
(c) That in 1993 the National Health and Medical Research Council lowered the upper limit of safety for the mean level of lead in children to 10 ug/dl?
(2) Given the 1989 results, have clean-up, education and nutrition campaigns been conducted in this region to ameliorate the effects of lead in children since this time?
(3) If so, when and where were these campaigns conducted?
(4) If not, why not?
(5) Will clean-up, education and nutrition campaigns be initiated if similar high results emanate from the proposed lead study?
(6) If not, why not?

1151 ETHNIC AFFAIRS COMMISSION—WOLLONGONG OFFICE—INTERPRETERS—Mr Markham to ask the Minister for Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs and Minister Assisting the Minister for Justice—

(1) How many full-time interpreters are employed at the Wollongong office of the Ethnic Affairs Commission?
(2) How many are employed in each language, and which languages are represented?
(3) How many part-time interpreters are employed at the Wollongong office of the Ethnic Affairs Commission?
(4) How many are employed in each language, and which languages are represented?

1152 DREDGING POLICY—Mr Martin to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for Public Works and Minister for Ports—

(1) (a) Is there a policy for payment for dredging?
(b) If so, does this policy accept payment for dredging if the fishing industry is unable to access rivers and ports?
(2) Will he allocate funds to dredge the mouth of the Myall River to allow the Tea Gardens fishing fleet to access the Tea Gardens Fish Co-operative?
(3) Will he consider this issue in the forthcoming budget?

1153 GRAHAMSTOWN DAM SUBDIVISION—Mr Martin to ask the Minister for Land and Water Conservation representing the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing—

(1) Does Port Stephens Council have a matter before it relating to a subdivision adjacent to Grahamstown Dam wall?
(2) Does this land fall in the 25 to 30 ANEF Noise Zone?
(3) Does the 25 to 30 ANEF standard state that dwellings should not be built in that zone?
(4) Has the Hunter Water Corporation expressed concerns to the Department of Planning?
(5) (a) Is aircraft noise in this area a problem?
(b) If so, will he prevent subdivision of the area?
(c) If not, why not?

Page 1054

1154 FISHING CLUB RAFFLES—Mr Martin to ask the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries and Minister for Mines—

(1) Did a Fisheries officer threaten a member of the Gosford RSL Fishing Club with prosecution if members of the club permitted some of their catch from a club competition to be raffled?
(2) Did the Fisheries officer make this threat despite the intention to apply any funds raised from the raffle towards the club members childrens' Christmas party and trophies for the club's Annual Presentation Evening?
(3) Were club members advised that if they wished to use seafood for raffles in the future then it must be seafood purchased from a fishing co-operative?
(4) Is it the Department's intention to prosecute members of all recreational fishing clubs in this State who participate in club fishing competitions and donate all or part of their catch to the club for fundraising activities?
(5) If so, how many cautions have been issued to date and to whom?
(6) (a) Has the Department issued any prosecutions to date?
(b) If so, how many and to whom?

1155 GRAHAMSTOWN PUBLIC SCHOOL CLEANING—Mr Martin to ask the Chief Secretary and Minister for Administrative Services—

(1) Have there been problems with cleaning of the new Grahamstown Public School?
(2) How many rooms have to be cleaned?
(3) How much undercover area outside classrooms has to be cleaned?
(4) How many cleaners are employed?
(5) How many hours are allocated to clean the area?
(6) Will she guarantee the school will be properly cleaned?

1156 MAIN ROAD 217 RECONSTRUCTION—Mr Mills to ask the Minister for Transport and Minister for Roads—

What is the timetable for reconstruction of MR 217 Lake Road from the Newcastle/Lake Macquarie City boundary to "Henholme", Elermore Vale?

1157 MAIN ROAD 527 RECONSTRUCTION—Mr Mills to ask the Minister for Transport and Minister for Roads—

What is the timetable for reconstruction of MR 527 Macquarie Road from Myall Road, Cardiff, to Hillsborough Road, Warners Bay?

1158 WINDING CREEK FLOOD MITIGATION WORKS—Mr Mills to ask the Minister for Land and Water Conservation representing the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing—

What is the timetable for construction of the Winding Creek Flood Mitigation Works as outlined in the 1992/93 Hydrology Study?

Page 1055
1159 THROSBY CREEK FLOOD MITIGATION WORKS—Mr Mills to ask the Minister for Land and Water Conservation representing the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing—

What is the timetable, if any, for construction of the following Throsby Creek Flood Mitigation Works, recommended in the Throsby Creek Total Catchment Management Study:
(a) Priority 1 works?
(b) Priority 2 works?
(c) Priority 3 works?

1160 SCHOOL FEES—ELECTORATE OF WALLSEND—Mr Mills to ask the Minister for Industrial Relations and Employment and Minister for the Status of Women representing the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Minister for Tourism and Minister Assisting the Premier—

What school fees are charged at each of the primary and infants schools in the electorate of Wallsend?

1161 HIGH SCHOOL FEES—ELECTORATE OF WALLSEND—Mr Mills to ask the Minister for Industrial Relations and Employment and Minister for the Status of Women representing the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Minister for Tourism and Minister Assisting the Premier—

What school fees are charged at each of the following schools in the electorate of Wallsend:
(a) Lambton High?
(b) Cardiff High?
(c) Glendale Technology High?

1162 ANAESTHESIA DEPARTMENT STAFF—JOHN HUNTER HOSPITAL—Mr Price to ask the Minister for Health—

(1) What is the reason for the sudden resignation of the Director of Anaesthesia Services from the John Hunter Hospital?
(2) How many members of the anaesthetics staff resigned from the John Hunter Hospital since 1 May 1993 to date?
(3) (a) Are further resignations in this department imminent?
(b) If so:
(i) How many staff positions will become vacant within the next several months?
(ii) How many VMOs intend withdrawing their services?
(4) What impact will today's situation have on anaesthetic services to the John Hunter Hospital, the Royal Newcastle Hospital and the Mater Hospital at Waratah?
(5) How will this situation impact on surgical services at all these centres?
(6) What will be the effect in terms of extended waiting times for public patients awaiting:
(a) Urgent surgery?
(b) Elective surgery?

Page 1056
1163 WEEDS COUNCILS—HUNTER VALLEY—Mr Price to ask the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries and Minister for Mines—

(1) How many Weeds Councils are operating in the Hunter Valley?
(2) What are their names and where are they located?
(3) What are the most prevalent noxious weeds, both land-based and aquatic, in each council's area of jurisdiction?
(4) How are these councils financed and what allocation to each has been made by the Department in the current 1993/94 budget period?

1164 MENTAL DISABILITIES ACCOMMODATION—Dr Refshauge to ask the Minister for Health—

(1) Is he aware of a report by Hannah Sharp and Bill Thomas concerning the conditions of accommodation of people with mental disabilities?
(2) Did the report say "people are living in incredibly crowded situations, five or six people to a room, certainly not anywhere near enough services to maintain quality of life?
(3) What is the Department of Community Services doing about abusive and exploitive practices in boarding houses in the inner west of Sydney?

1165 WATER SERVICES STORAGE PROPOSALS—Mr Scully to ask the Minister for Land and Water Conservation representing the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing—

(1) Is he aware, that by letter dated 21 September 1992, the Water Board advised NSW Water Services that its chemical storage proposals at Prospect Reservoir were unacceptable?
(2) Is he aware that the Tender Evaluation Committee report found that the proposed storage of chemicals by NSW Water Services at Prospect Reservoir posed a serious risk of major pollution to Western Sydney Water Supply?
(3) What steps does he propose to take to ensure that NSW Water Services does not endanger the lives of the people of Western Sydney by the use of hazardous storage methods for its chemicals?

1166 PROSPECT RESERVOIR FILTRATION PLANT—Mr Scully to ask the Minister for Land and Water Conservation representing the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing—

(1) Is he aware of irregularities in the tendering process for the awarding of the contract to construct a filtration plant at Prospect Reservoir?
(2) Why was NSW Water Services awarded the contract for the construction of the filtration plant at Prospect Reservoir when the Independent Evaluation Committee ranked Wyuna Water as the best tenderer for the proposed plant on all grounds including environmental, project delivery, process used and operation?
(3) Is he aware that the Water Board, by letter dated 21 September 1992, advised NSW Water Services that it was not convinced that the process to be used for cleaning water would be viable?
(4) Why did NSW Water Services win the contract for the Prospect filtration plant when there is doubt concerning the ability of the proposed filtration plant to properly clean the water supply?
(5) Can he assure the residents of Western Sydney that they will not have dirty water?
(6) Have the problems in the tender documents outlined by the Evaluation Committee been resolved or overcome by NSW Water Services?

Page 1057

1167 STUDENTS BUS CONCESSION—Mr Sullivan to ask the Minister for Transport and Minister for Roads—

(1) What factors did the Department of Transport consider when setting its criteria for students' private omnibus concession pass eligibility?
(2) Why was the age limit for students set at a maximum of 30 years?

1168 COASTAL WARNING SIGNS—Mr Sullivan to ask the Minister for Energy and Minister for Local Government and Co-operatives—

(1) Did the Deputy State Coroner, Mr P. Gould, in giving his verdict at the coronial inquest into the death of rock fisherman, Yoon-Sik Um, on 17 February 1994, recommend that local councils on the coast should erect signs warning of the dangers at rock fishing sites?
(2) Are local councils reluctant to do this because a death in defiance of such warning signs could indicate inadequate warnings were issued and consequently the council made liable?
(3) Has he considered legislative action by the State Government to remove his possible liability from local councils?
(4) If not, why not?

1169 RADIOTHERAPY WORKING PARTY—Mr Sullivan to ask the Minister for Health—

(1) Why is there no representation from the Illawarra on the Department of Health's radiotherapy working party?
(2) Is the installation of a second linear accelerator at the Illawarra Cancer Care Centre being considered by the radiotherapy working party?
(3) If not, why not?
(4) Which radiotherapy facilities in New South Wales only have one linear accelerator?

1170 SCHOOL COUNSELLORS TRAINING—Mr Sullivan to ask the Minister for Industrial Relations and Employment and Minister for the Status of Women representing the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Minister for Tourism and Minister Assisting the Premier—

(1) Why was the decision made to cut funds for the training of school counsellors employed by the Department of School Education?
(2) By how much have the funds been cut?
(3) Why are there only five counsellors in training at present at Macquarie University?
(4) What schools/combination high school and primary school groups are presently without a counsellor on the staff?

1171 ILLAWARRA CAR THEFTS—Mr Sullivan to ask the Minister for Police and Minister for Emergency Services—

(1) Did representatives of the Police Department and insurance companies meet in Wollongong towards the end of April 1994 to discuss measures to combat the alarming rise in car thefts in the Illawarra Police District?
(2) Are insurance companies concerned that the Illawarra could slip to its former position of being the worst New South Wales country area for car thefts?
(3) What measures have the Police Department in the Illawarra Police District put in place to address this re-emerging problem?

Page 1058

1172 NEIGHBOUR VIOLENCE—Mr Sullivan to ask the Minister for Police and Minister for Emergency Services—

(1) What programs or procedures have been put in place by the Police Department to help resolve occurrences of violence between neighbours without resorting to legal action?
(2) Have specific programs or procedures been put in place to assist and counsel the victims of violence between neighbours?
(3) If so, what are these programs and/or procedures?
(4) If so, where have these programs and/or procedures been trialled?

1173 BERKELEY PRIMARY SCHOOL CLEANING—Mr Sullivan to ask the Chief Secretary and Minister for Administrative Services—

(1) What weekly hours of cleaning were allocated to Berkeley Primary School in:
(a) 1988?
(b) 1990?
(c) 1992?
(d) 1994?
(2) How many cleaners provided this cleaning service at Berkeley Primary School in:
(a) 1988?
(b) 1990?
(c) 1992?
(d) 1994?
(3) What was the area in square metres cleaned by the Government Cleaning Service at Berkeley Primary School in 1988?
(4) How many classrooms and what other school facilities were cleaned by the Government Cleaning Service at Berkeley Primary School in 1988?
(5) What is the area in square metres cleaned by Menzies Cleaning Contractors at Berkeley Primary School in 1994?
(6) How many classrooms and what other school facilities are cleaned by Menzies Cleaning Contractors at Berkeley Primary School in 1994?

1174 BERKELEY WEST PRIMARY SCHOOL CLEANING—Mr Sullivan to ask the Chief Secretary and Minister for Administrative Services—

(1) What weekly hours of cleaning were allocated to Berkeley West Primary School in:
(a) 1988?
(b) 1990?
(c) 1992?
(d) 1994?
(2) How many cleaners provided this cleaning service at Berkeley West Primary School in:
(a) 1988?
(b) 1990?
(c) 1992?
(d) 1994?
(3) What was the area in square metres cleaned by the Government Cleaning Service at Berkeley West Primary School in 1988?
(4) How many classrooms and what other school facilities were cleaned by the Government Cleaning Service at Berkeley West Primary School in 1988?

Page 1059

(5) What is the area in square metres cleaned by Menzies Cleaning Contractors at Berkeley West Primary School in 1994?
(6) How many classrooms and what other school facilities are cleaned by Menzies Cleaning Contractors at Berkeley West Primary School in 1994?

1175 BERKELEY SOUTH PRIMARY SCHOOL CLEANING—Mr Sullivan to ask the Chief Secretary and Minister for Administrative Services—

(1) What weekly hours of cleaning were allocated to Berkeley South Primary School in:
(a) 1988?
(b) 1990?
(c) 1992?
(d) 1994?
(2) How many cleaners provided this cleaning service at Berkeley South Primary School in:
(a) 1988?
(b) 1990?
(c) 1992?
(d) 1994?
(3) What was the area in square metres cleaned by the Government Cleaning Service at Berkeley South Primary School in 1988?
(4) How many classrooms and what other school facilities were cleaned by the Government Cleaning Service at Berkeley South Primary School in 1988?
(5) What is the area in square metres cleaned by Menzies Cleaning Contractors at Berkeley South Primary School in 1994?
(6) How many classrooms and what other school facilities are cleaned by Menzies Cleaning Contractors at Berkeley South Primary School in 1994?

1176 BUILDING INDUSTRY TASK FORCE—Mr Windsor to ask the Minister for the Environment representing the Attorney General and Minister for Justice—

(1) Has the Building Industry Task Force convicted any union officials in the 2 years of its operation?
(2) How much has the cost been to the New South Wales taxpayer, of the Royal Commission into the Building Industry and the Building Industry Task Force, from its inception?
(3) When is the Government going to close down the Building Task Force?
(4) Is Pat Dunn from North Coast Appraisals an operative (subcontractor) of the Building Industry Task Force?
(5) How much has been paid to North Coast Appraisals and Pat Dunn since they started working with the Task Force 2 years ago?
(6) Why hasn't the Government used police only in the investigations in relation to the Building Industry Task Force?

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Authorised by the Parliament of New South Wales