LEGAL AID FUNDING

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:44): Is the Attorney-General aware that an application for legal aid has been refused based on the fact that the applicant is entitled to $350,000 owed to her by the Department for Families and Communities, but it has still refused to pay her?

On 20 November 2007, judgment was granted in favour of Ann Dalton by the Workers Compensation Tribunal against the Department for Families and Communities and their application for a stay of that order was refused. The department was ordered to pay (including legal costs) $204,428.26 and a further $150,000 as agreed. Ms Dalton's application for legal aid on another matter has been rejected because of this entitlement but the department has not yet paid her, notwithstanding the court order and Crown Solicitor's advice. We have been advised that the Crown Solicitor's Office has contacted them again this morning to inquire whether the department has paid.

The Hon. M.J. ATKINSON (Croydon—Attorney-General, Minister for Justice, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (14:46): If the facts are as the member for Bragg states, then I, too, am concerned, and I will certainly get a report about it and bring it back to the house as swiftly as possible. Having said that, I point out that the member for Bragg is the member of whom Channel 9 said, 'How did that member get it so wrong?'