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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-10-27 Daily Xml
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JULIA FARR ASSOCIATION

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg) (15:22): My question is for the Minister for Disability. How does the minister explain the fact that more than a year after $2.1 million of disability equipment funding was paid to the Julia Farr Association, at variance with the cabinet funding approvals and to avoid the Treasurer's carryover policy, that—

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: Point of order, Madam Speaker.

The SPEAKER: The Minister for Transport.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: Just to explain to the opposition, to assert that it is at variance with the cabinet and in breach—

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: Oh, please, just stop for a moment—and in breach of the guidelines is pure comment and debate—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: —contrary to standing order 97. Really, we could have remedial lessons for these people if they wish, but don't waste question time.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I can't hear a word you're saying; there is too much noise.

Ms CHAPMAN: I am happy to put those portions in quotes if you would like me to. I will just repeat the question.

The SPEAKER: Repeat the question; let me hear it again.

Ms CHAPMAN: How does the minister explain that, more than a year after $2.1 million of disability equipment funding was paid to the Julia Farr Association at variance with 'cabinet funding approvals' and to 'avoid the Treasurer's carryover policy', $1.8 million was still in the accounts of Julia Farr?

The SPEAKER: Before you go on, member for Bragg, who are you actually quoting? What are you quoting?

Ms CHAPMAN: I am happy to explain that. In the 2009—

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: She needs to seek leave. Members may not explain questions without seeking the leave of the house.

Ms CHAPMAN: Excuse me, Madam Speaker, I am responding to your invitation to give that explanation.

The SPEAKER: You got to where you were quoting; where are you now?

Ms CHAPMAN: I am speaking on your leave to explain the question. In June 2008, $2.15 million in disability equipment funding was paid to the JFA, which the Auditor-General has identified was 'outside cabinet funding approvals'. The 2009 annual report of the Julia Farr Association shows an amount of $1.82 million sitting in its accounts, and its explanatory note says, 'There is an amount of $1.82 million held in trust for the Department for Families and Communities.' It goes on to say, 'This amount is to be spent under the direction of the minister in future years.'

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Minister for Education, Minister for Early Childhood Development) (15:25): I will answer this question to the best of my recollection because, of course, I am no longer the minister for disability and do not have access to the present arrangements. To understand the trickiness of the question, implied in the question is some reference to the fact that it is at variance with cabinet approvals. That was a particular component of what the Auditor-General found about the precise sums—that is the $5 million-odd that was decided by cabinet to be applied to disability equipment—in that there was some variation as to which non-government association got it.

The overall sum that cabinet decided should go to disability equipment was spent on disability equipment. There was some adjustment of some very small amounts between the various disability organisations. What the member sought to do in her question was to suggest that somehow that minor matter was a major matter and that somehow cabinet did not approve it. This is the standard that we have come to expect from those opposite. They come in here seeking to impugn the integrity of ministers of this government on the basis of misleading the house. If those are the standards that you wish to go by you will have to live with those standards.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: I can tell you that I promoted this idea, cabinet approved this idea and it was implemented. This money went to Disability Services—precisely where it was meant to go.

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