2737 PROOF
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
No. 79
WEDNESDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2008
(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.)
Notice given on date shown 2738 Legislative Council Questions and Answers No. 79— Wednesday 26 November 2008
Publication of Questions Answer to be lodged by
Q & A No. 69 (Including Question Nos 2192 to 2211) 26 November 2008
Q & A No. 70 (Including Question Nos 2212 to 2229) 27 November 2008
Q & A No. 71 (Including Question Nos 2230 to 2253) 02 December 2008
Q & A No. 72 (Including Question Nos 2254 to 2260) 03 December 2008
Q & A No. 73 (Including Question Nos 2261 to 2275) 04 December 2008
Q & A No. 74 (Including Question Nos 2276 to 2279) 16 December 2008
Q & A No. 75 (Including Question Nos 2280 to 2294) 17 December 2008
Q & A No. 76 (Including Question Nos 2295 to 2299) 18 December 2008
Q & A No. 77 (Including Question Nos 2300 to 2358) 19 December 2008
Q & A No. 78 (Including Question Nos 2360 to 2376) 30 December 2008
Q & A No. 79 (Including Question Nos 2377 to 2382) 31 December 2008 2739 Legislative Council Questions and Answers No. 79— Wednesday 26 November 2008
22 OCTOBER 2008 (Paper No. 69)
*2192 EDUCATION AND TRAINING—HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFICATE STUDENTS—Dr Kaye asked the Attorney General, Minister for Justice, and Minister for Industrial Relations representing the Minister for Education and Training, and Minister for Women— (1) How many Higher School Certificate students were granted Special Examination Provisions? (2) How many students sat or are sitting the Higher School Certificate examination? Answer— (1) 4461 (2) 67,931
*2193 EDUCATION AND TRAINING—PLAN-IT YOUTH PROGRAM—Dr Kaye asked the Attorney General, Minister for Justice, and Minister for Industrial Relations representing the Minister for Education and Training, and Minister for Women— (1) What funds have been allocated for the 2008-2009 budget for the Plan-It Youth Program? (2) For each of the years in the forward estimates period, how much has been allocated to this program? Answer— (1) to (2). In 2008-2009 the NSW Government has allocated close to $1 million to support the Plan-It Youth Program. Allocation for the Plan-It Youth Program beyond the end of the current financial year has yet to be determined.
*2194 EDUCATION AND TRAINING—MACQUARIE BOYS HIGH SCHOOL—Dr Kaye asked the Attorney General, Minister for Justice, and Minister for Industrial Relations representing the Minister for Education and Training, and Minister for Women— (1) How many students are enrolled in each grade at Macquarie Boys High School in 2008? (2) What are the anticipated enrolments for each grade at Macquarie Boys High School in 2009? (3) Can the Minister provide a list of equipment removed from science laboratories at Macquarie Boys High School since 1 January 2008? (4) Do science students at Macquarie Boys High School have access to the full range of equipment in science laboratories? Answer— (1) 10 students in Year 11 and 27 students in Year 12. (2) 10 students in Year 12. (3) The school has maintained records of any equipment that has been removed from the school. Any equipment that has been removed from the science laboratories is surplus to the school's requirements. (4) No students are studying any sciences at Macquarie Boys High School. One student is studying biology through Distance Education.
*2195 EDUCATION AND TRAINING—LACHLAN MACQUARIE COLLEGE IN 2008—Dr Kaye asked the Attorney General, Minister for Justice, and Minister for Industrial Relations representing the Minister for Education and Training, and Minister for Women— (1) How many students have attended Lachlan Macquarie College in 2008? (2) How many students received intensive courses in the Centre for Applied Maths and Science at Lachlan Macquarie College in 2008? (3) How many students received intensive courses in the Centre for Specialist Maths and Science at Lachlan Macquarie College in 2008? 2740 Legislative Council Questions and Answers No. 79— Wednesday 26 November 2008
(4) How many teachers were posted to Lachlan Macquarie College in 2008? (5) How many teachers used the Centre for Maths and Science Teaching at Lachlan Macquarie College in 2008? Answer— (1) Throughout 2008 over 350 students have participated in programs offered through Lachlan Macquarie College. (2) None. These programs will commence in 2009. (3) In 2008, 12 events and programs have been conducted from this strand, each catering for up to 104 students. It is anticipated that the number of programs delivered and hence students involved will increase in 2009. (4) Two teaching staff members were appointed in 2008; a Deputy Principal and a Head Teacher. (5) In 2008, 15 events and programs have been conducted from this strand with 282 teachers attending. It is anticipated that the number of programs delivered and teachers participating will increase in 2009.
*2196 EDUCATION AND TRAINING—SPECIAL EXAMINATION PROVISIONS—Dr Kaye asked the Attorney General, Minister for Justice, and Minister for Industrial Relations representing the Minister for Education and Training, and Minister for Women— (1) For the year 2008, (a) how many applications did the Board of Studies receive for Special Examinations Provisions in respect of the Higher School Certificate (HSC) exam in that year? (b) how many applications did the Board of Studies receive for Special Examinations Provisions in respect of the HSC exam in that year for students enrolled at independent schools? (c) how many applications did the Board of Studies approve for Special Examinations Provisions in respect of the HSC exam in that year for students enrolled at independent schools? (d) how many applications did the Board of Studies receive for Special Examinations Provisions in respect of the HSC exam in that year for students enrolled at Catholic systemic schools? (e) how many applications did the Board of Studies receive and approve for Special Examinations Provisions in respect of the HSC exam in that year for students enrolled at Catholic systemic schools? (f) how many applications did the Board of Studies receive for Special Examinations Provisions in respect of the HSC exam in that year for students enrolled at government schools? (g) how many applications did the Board of Studies receive and approve for Special Examinations Provisions in respect of the HSC exam in that year for students enrolled at government schools?
Answer— (1) (a) 4621 (b) 1723 (c) 1642 (d) 823 (e) 798 (f) 2074 (g) 2020 Note: The term "approve" is taken to mean "partially or totally approve". Most applicants are granted some provisions, but not necessarily all provisions sought. For example, a student seeking extra time to write may instead be granted extra time to rest.
*2197 EDUCATION AND TRAINING—LACHLAN MACQUARIE COLLEGE AND INTENSIVE COURSES—Dr Kaye asked the Attorney General, Minister for Justice, and Minister for Industrial Relations representing the Minister for Education and Training, and Minister for Women— (1) How many students are anticipated to attend Lachlan Macquarie College? 2741 Legislative Council Questions and Answers No. 79— Wednesday 26 November 2008
(2) How many students anticipated to receive intensive courses in the Centre for Applied Maths and Science at Lachlan Macquarie College? (3) How many students anticipated to receive intensive courses in the Centre for Specialist Maths and Science at Lachlan Macquarie College? (4) How many teachers are anticipated to be posted to Lachlan Macquarie College? (5) How many teachers are expected to use the Centre for Maths and Science Teaching at Lachlan Macquarie College? Answer— (1) Throughout 2008, over 350 students have participated in programs offered through Lachlan Macquarie College. Student participation in College programs is anticipated to increase in 2009 and continue to increase in 2010. (2) Programs within this strand will commence in 2009 with an initial five events and courses each catering for up to 100 students. (3) In 2008, 12 events and programs have been conducted from this strand, each catering for up to 104 students. It is anticipated that the number of programs delivered and hence students involved will increase in 2009. (4) Two teaching staff members were appointed in 2008, a Deputy Principal and a Head Teacher. (5) In 2008, 15 events and programs have been conducted within this strand with 282 teachers attending. Each event catered for up to 65 teaching staff. It is anticipated that the number of programs delivered and teachers participating will increase in 2009.
*2198 EDUCATION AND TRAINING—STUDENTS SITTING THE HSC—Dr Kaye asked the Attorney General, Minister for Justice, and Minister for Industrial Relations representing the Minister for Education and Training, and Minister for Women— (1) For each of the following schools: Abbotsleigh School WAHROONGA Ascham School EDGECLIFF Cranbrook School BELLEVUE HILL Frensham School MITTAGONG German International School Sydney RYDE Gib Gate School MITTAGONG Green Valley Islamic College GREEN VALLEY Hills Montessori School WEST PENNANT HILLS Kambala ROSE BAY Knox Grammar School WAHROONGA Newington College STANMORE Pittwater House Grammar School MANLY Ravenswood School for Girls GORDON Saint Joseph's School NOWRA SCEGGS Darlinghurst DARLINGHURST SCEGGS Redlands CREMORNE Sherwood Cliffs School GLENREAGH St Andrew's Cathedral School SYDNEY SQUARE Sydney Church of England Grammar School NORTH SYDNEY Sydney Grammar School DARLINGHURST The French School MAROUBRA The International Grammar BROADWAY 2742 Legislative Council Questions and Answers No. 79— Wednesday 26 November 2008
The Italian Bilingual School FIVE DOCK The King's School PARRAMATTA The Scots College BELLEVUE HILL Trinity Grammar School SUMMER HILL Tudor House MOSS VALE Barker College HORNSBY Meriden School STRATHFIELD Pittwater House Girls College MANLY Presbyterian Ladies College CROYDON Pymble Ladies College PYMBLE Sydney Japanese School TERREY HILLS Wenona School NORTH SYDNEY Arden Anglican School BEECROFT Blue Mountains Grammar School WENTWORTH FALLS Central Coast Grammar School ERINA HEIGHTS Claremont College RANDWICK Danebank Anglican School for Girls HURSTVILLE Glenaeon School for Steiner MIDDLE COVE Hunter Valley Grammar School EAST MAITLAND Kincoppal-Rose Bay School ROSE BAY Kinma School TERREY HILLS Masada College LINDFIELD Masada College High School ST IVES Methodist Ladies College BURWOOD Moriah War Memorial College BONDI JUNCTION Newcastle Grammar School NEWCASTLE Oxley College BOWRAL Queenwood School MOSMAN Reddam House BONDI JUNCTION Roseville College ROSEVILLE St Catherine's School WAVERLEY St Ignatius' College LANE COVE St Luke's Grammar School DEE WHY St Paul's Anglican Choir School GEORGES HALL Tara Anglican School for Girls NORTH PARRAMATTA The Athena School NEWTOWN The Emanuel School RANDWICK The Hills Grammar School ROUND CORNER The Illawarra Grammar School FIGTREE The Scots School - Albury ALBURY (a) how many students are sitting the Higher School Certificate in 2008? (b) how many were granted Special Examination Provisions?
Answer— SCHOOL 2008 HSC Students 2008 Special Provisions Approvals 2743 Legislative Council Questions and Answers No. 79— Wednesday 26 November 2008
Abbotsleigh School WAHROONGA 159 13 Ascham School EDGECLIFF 93 4 Cranbrook School BELLEVUE 167 22 HILL Frensham School MITTAGONG 55 10 German International School Sydney 0 0 RYDE Gib Gate School MITTAGONG 0 0 Green Valley Islamic College 0 0 GREEN VALLEY Hills Montessori School WEST 0 0 PENNANT HILLS Kambala ROSE BAY 102 7 Knox Grammar School 214 38 WAHROONGA Newington College STANMORE 178 4 Pittwater House Grammar School 33 1 MANLY Ravenswood School for Girls 129 9 GORDON Saint Joseph's School NOWRA 0 0 SCEGGS Darlinghurst 117 20 DARLINGHURST SCEGGS Redlands CREMORNE 127 7 Sherwood Cliffs School 0 0 GLENREAGH St Andrew's Cathedral School 223 48 SYDNEY SQUARE Sydney Church of England Grammar 214 18 School NORTH SYDNEY Sydney Grammar School 191 25 DARLINGHURST The French School MAROUBRA 0 0 The International Grammar 75 10 BROADWAY The Italian Bilingual School FIVE 0 0 DOCK The King's School PARRAMATTA 181 17 The Scots College BELLEVUE 163 40 HILL Trinity Grammar School SUMMER 202 19 HILL Tudor House MOSS VALE 0 0 Barker College HORNSBY 315 36 Meriden School STRATHFIELD 69 12 Pittwater House Girls College 20 1 MANLY Presbyterian Ladies College 170 31 CROYDON Pymble Ladies College PYMBLE 251 27 Sydney Japanese School TERREY 0 0 HILLS Wenona School NORTH SYDNEY 103 18 Arden Anglican School BEECROFT 38 15 Blue Mountains Grammar School 80 12 WENTWORTH FALLS Central Coast Grammar School 87 10 ERINA HEIGHTS 2744 Legislative Council Questions and Answers No. 79— Wednesday 26 November 2008
Claremont College RANDWICK 0 0 Danebank Anglican School for Girls 115 17 HURSTVILLE Glenaeon School for Steiner 28 6 MIDDLE COVE Hunter Valley Grammar School 90 17 EAST MAITLAND Kincoppal-Rose Bay School ROSE 106 4 BAY Kinma School TERREY HILLS 0 0 Masada College LINDFIELD 0 0 Masada College High School ST 61 18 IVES Methodist Ladies College 147 11 BURWOOD Moriah War Memorial College 163 23 BONDI JUNCTION Newcastle Grammar School 80 11 NEWCASTLE Oxley College BOWRAL 87 18 Queenwood School MOSMAN 70 9 Reddam House BONDI JUNCTION 69 15 Roseville College ROSEVILLE 75 8 St Catherine's School WAVERLEY 85 15 St Ignatius' College LANE COVE 278 26 St Luke's Grammar School DEE 81 14 WHY St Paul's Anglican Choir School 0 0 GEORGES HALL Tara Anglican School for Girls 109 7 NORTH PARRAMATTA The Athena School NEWTOWN 0 0 The Emanuel School RANDWICK 57 8 The Hills Grammar School ROUND 137 22 CORNER The Illawarra Grammar School 106 11 FIGTREE The Scots School - Albury ALBURY 98 6
*2199 HEALTH—OUT OF HOSPITAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES—Ms Ficarra asked the Minister for Health, Minister for the Central Coast, and Vice President of the Executive Council— (1) What is your response to the Auditor General's recent report estimating that New South Wales "would need to build a 300 bed hospital every year to cope with rising demand" unless out of hospital health care services are improved? (2) Are approximately 500 hospital beds freed up for more urgent cases because of the existing out of hospital program, servicing over 45,000 patients across New South Wales each year? (3) What is your response to the Auditor General's call for out of hospital care services to be increased from the current 3% of patients to the required 10% of healthcare patients? Answer— I refer the Member to my response to a similar question asked by the Hon Charlie Lynn, MLC in the Legislative Council on 30 October 2008.
*2203 CENTRAL COAST—CENTRAL COAST ELECTORATE VISITS—Mr Gallacher asked the Minister for Health, Minister for the Central Coast, and Vice President of the Executive Council— (1) During the period 8 August 2008 until 24 August 2008 how many New South Wales Government 2745 Legislative Council Questions and Answers No. 79— Wednesday 26 November 2008
Ministers visited the state electorates of: (a) Gosford? (b) Terrigal? (c) The Entrance? (d) Wyong? (2) In respect of each of these visits: (a) What was the name of the Minister? (b) On what date did the visit occur?
Answer— My office does not hold details of the diaries of other Ministers.
*2204 HUNTER—HUNTER ELECTORATE VISITS—Mr Gallacher asked the Minister for Health, Minister for the Central Coast, and Vice President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Tourism, and Minister for the Hunter— (1) During the period 8 August 2008 until 24 August 2008 how many New South Wales Government Ministers visited the state electorates of: (a) Cessnock? (b) Charlestown? (c) Lake Macquarie? (d) Maitland? (e) Newcastle? (f) Port Stephens? (g) Swansea? (h) Upper Hunter? (i) Wallsend? (2) In respect of each of these visits: (a) What was the name of the Minister? (b) On what date did the visit occur?
Answer— I am advised: In response to the Honourable Member's question, I can advise Ministers visit many electorates around the state in the course of their duties.
*2207 ROADS—CASH BACK PAYMENTS AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GRANTS—Ms Rhiannon asked the Attorney General, Minister for Justice, and Minister for Industrial Relations representing the Minister for Roads— (1) What is the cost to the Government of cash back payments for users of various Sydney tollways, being split into actual payments, and the cost of administering the scheme, for each of the financial years: (a) 2005-2006? (b) 2006-2007? (c) 2007-2008? (d) plus the projection for 2008-2009 if the scheme was to continue to operate to 30 June 2009? (2) What is the cost to the Government of providing petrol rebates in the northern part of New South Wales as a result of the Queensland Fuel Subsidy Scheme, for each of the financial years: (a) 2005-2006? (b) 2006-2007? (c) 2007-2008? 2746 Legislative Council Questions and Answers No. 79— Wednesday 26 November 2008
(d) plus the projection for 2008-2009? (3) What is the cost of upgrading New South Wales roads for High Mass Limits truck operations for each of the financial years: (a) 2005-2006? (b) 2006-2007? (c) 2007-2008? (d) plus the projection for 2008-2009? (4) What is the estimated cost of upgrading roads leading to the Port Kembla Coal Terminal so that they could accommodate coal trucks operating at High Mass Limits? (5) What was the amount paid by the Roads and Traffic Authority to consultants to prepare each of the Environmental Assessments and the Submissions Report for the Kempsey to Eungai Pacific Highway upgrading project? (6) In relation to the above questions, how much of these costs have been met by Federal government grants? (7) What funds have been expended for the advanced planning of dual carriageways and other highway upgrades for each of the Hume Highway and the Pacific Highway for each fiscal year: (a) 2005-2006? (b) 2006-2007? (c) 2007-2008? (d) are due to be paid in 2008-2009? (i) How much of these costs have been met, or will be met, by Federal government grants? (8) What are the current subsidies paid for the operation of 9 axle B - Doubles on an average basis? (9) For those hauling the 75th Percentile distance (as noted by the 2006 Productivity Commission Road⁄rail freight infrastructure pricing report (on page 125) what are the charges under National Transport Commission (NTC)? (10) What were the charges prior to June 1996 as indexed for inflation? Answer— (1) (a) The 2005-2006 cost was $81.75 million, ($77.34 million for cashback payments and $4.41 million for administering the scheme). (b) The 2006-2007 cost was $91.96 million, ($87.03m for cashback payments and $4.93 million for administering the scheme). (c) The 2007-2008 cost was $100.60m, ($95.66 million for cashback payments and $4.94 million for administering the scheme). (d) The 2008-2009 budget is $102.00m, ($97.00 million for cashback payments and $5.00 million for administering the scheme). Cashback is a fully funded State program. The RTA initially incurs the costs and is fully reimbursed by NSW Treasury. There are no Federal grants involved in the Cashback program. (2) This is not a matter for the Minister for Roads. (3) (a) $0,230 million. (b) $4.715 million. (c) $3.419 million. (d) $12.474 million. Federal Government Grants have covered 100 per cent of upgrades associated with Higher Mass Limited truck operations. There was only minimal expenditure in 2005⁄06 to cover initial project planning work for Higher Mass Limited bridge projects. 2747 Legislative Council Questions and Answers No. 79— Wednesday 26 November 2008
(4) The road network can accommodate Higher Mass Limits for coal trucks. However, the rail bridges would require strengthening. The cost for this is not known as rail bridges are the responsibility of RailCorp. (5) It is not possible to state an amount paid to consultants for activities that were solely undertaken for the Environmental Assessment (EA) or Submissions Report. Activities undertaken as part of the earlier route selection and concept design phases of the project, such as environmental, geotechnical and survey investigations, have also formed the basis for preparation of the Environmental Assessment and Submission Report. Federal Government contribution is nil. (6) Where appropriate, a response is provided above. (7) (a) to (d). Funding for projects in planning on the Pacific Highway between 2005⁄06 and 2008⁄09 has been approximately: 2005⁄06 - $40 million 2006⁄07 - $42 million 2007⁄08 - $38 million 2008⁄09 - $40 million (expected) Funding for projects in planning on the Hume Highway between 2005⁄06 and 2008⁄09 has been approximately: 2005⁄06 - $2 million 2006⁄07 - $16 million 2007⁄08 - $4 million 2008⁄09 $9 million (expected) (d)(i). The question is unable to be answered within the given context, as the Federal Government does not contribute to specific project activities (such as planning) for the Pacific Highway, but rather to the upgrade program as a whole. For example, for most projects, there is generally a mix of planning, acquisition and construction activities in any one year and the funding provided may be allocated across the range of those activities. Planning is activities for identification of the preferred route as well as preparation of the concept design, environmental assessment and the final design. Planning activities typically include identification of route/corridor options, community and stakeholder meetings and workshops, geotechnical/soil investigations and reports, ecological investigations and reports, acoustical investigations and reports, air quality assessments, preferred option selection workshops, development of concept design, environmental impact assessment, value management studies and workshops, value engineering studies and workshops, community research, socio economic analysis, economic evaluation of engineering options, hydrological and flooding studies, survey, archaeological and cultural surveys, contaminated land assessments, computer modelling, peer review of designs and reports, assessment of consultation reports. (8) A key principle of the third Determination of National Heavy Vehicle Charges, approved by the Australian Transport Council on 29 February 2008, was that any cross-subsidies of vehicle classes would be eliminated by July 2010. The National Transport Commission has advised that in the third Determination, the recommended charges were set based on the average vehicle in each vehicle class covering their attributable allocated costs. In the case of B-doubles, coverage of attributable costs for the average vehicle combination is set to occur by July 2010 as the required increase in charges is being phased in over 3 years. Currently, the average B-double is paying vehicle registration and fuel charges that are below the required level to meet their attributable costs and therefore are still receiving a subsidy. This subsidy, based on attributable costs, was in the order of $11,363 prior to the third Determination. This has now been reduced to around $8,945 for the average B double vehicle due to an increase in the prime mover registration charge and a small increase in trailer charges. 2748 Legislative Council Questions and Answers No. 79— Wednesday 26 November 2008
However, once the fuel charge increase from 19.633 cents to 21 cents per litre takes effect on 1 January 2009, and the trailer charges are significantly increased in both July 2009 and 2010, the $8,945 subsidy will be eliminated. (9) The National Transport Commission has advised that in the case of the 75th percentile B-double that travels 228,000 kilometres per annum, the following charge revenue and allocated costs occur: Registration on the prime mover and two trailers - $9,330 Spare trail registration - $1,140 Fuel charge revenue: based on estimated fuel consumption of 135,272 litres at 19.633 cents per litre - $26,558 Total Charge Revenue: $37,028 Attributed allocated cost - $ 51,288 Under - recovery or subsidy - $ 14,260 Note: The 75th percentile B-double attracts a higher rate of attributable allocated cost due to the greater use it makes of the road network compared to the average B-double. (1 Prior to the introduction of national heavy vehicle charges in 1996, NSW registration charges for a 9 0) axle B-double were $4,250 for the 3 axle prime mover and $320 per axle for each of the 6 trailer axles, making a total registration of $6,170 for the B-double. Indexed to today's values, using the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economic's Road Construction and Maintenance Price Index, the total registration charge would be $9,696. Since 1 July 2008, 9 axle B-double registration charge has been $9,330. Following the phased introduction of the third Determination, 9 axle B- double registration charges will increase to $14,340 on 1 July 2010.
*2208 HEALTH—NSW INTERAGENCY PLAN TO TACKLE CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULT IN ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES: 2006-2011—Ms Rhiannon asked the Minister for Health, Minister for the Central Coast, and Vice President of the Executive Council— (1) What is the Minister for Health and health agencies doing to ensure that they are fully implementing the actions in the NSW Interagency Plan to Tackle Child Sexual Assault in Aboriginal Communities: 2006 - 2011, including the actions which require them to fund joint initiatives and work effectively with other agencies in and beyond the portfolio? (2) Will the Minister undertake to adopt a transparent, publicly accessible reporting regime for the funding and implementation of the actions in the NSW Interagency Plan To Tackle Child Sexual Assault in Aboriginal Communities: 2006 - 2011, including a publicly available annual report covering at least: (a) the amounts and sources of all resources for each of the plan's actions relevant to the portfolio? (b) the results to be achieved through these resources? (c) progress in achieving the results? (d) if the results have not been achieved, (i) the reasons for the failure to achieve them? (ii) action to be taken to ensure they will be achieved in future? (3) (a) What specific service measures in the 2008 budget papers relate to the Actions in the NSW Interagency Plan to Tackle Child Sexual Assault in Aboriginal Communities: 2006 - 2011? (b) What specific Interagency Plan Actions are these service measures intended to address? (c) Do these service measures involve new funding for these actions, or the reworking of existing funding to respond to the Interagency Plan's Actions, or the continued rollout of funding already announced for other government initiatives which are consistent with the Interagency Plan's Actions? (d) Which Interagency Plan Actions cannot be funded from the current budget allocations?
Answer— I am advised: 2749 Legislative Council Questions and Answers No. 79— Wednesday 26 November 2008
(1) NSW Health reports regularly on progress with implementation of actions it leads under the Interagency Plan to the Department of Aboriginal Affairs who coordinates NSW Government implementation of this Plan. (2) This question should be directed to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs as this matter falls within his area of responsibility. (3) NSW Health has been funding initiatives under the NSW Interagency Plan to Tackle Child Sexual Assault in Aboriginal Communities as released in January 2007, from within existing resources. In addition, in August 2008, NSW Health received funding of $2.5 million over four years for the Safe Families Program in the Orana Far West. This forms part of the locational responses under the Interagency Plan.
*2209 HEALTH—NEW FORENSIC UNIT AT LONG BAY—Ms Rhiannon asked the Minister for Health, Minister for the Central Coast, and Vice President of the Executive Council— (1) Will the Government provide extra funding to ensure both safety of patients and medical staff, and a quality model of health care in the new forensic unit at Long Bay? (a) If so, when? (b) If not, why not? (2) Is there a need for added funding to the new forensic facility? (a) If so, why? (b) If not, why not? (3) Will there be continuing education opportunities for patients once they move to the new forensic unit? (4) Why will Justice Health be contracting out the security for the hospitals at Long Bay? (5) Will any new security staff employed through a contract with Justice Health have to undertake the intensive 11-point course through the academy at Eastwood that prison guards currently have to undertake? (6) Will any new staff employed through a contract with Justice Health be permanent, or will they all be casual? Answer— The new Forensic Hospital at Long Bay is a therapeutic environment which will provide maximum opportunities for interaction between a multidisciplinary health professional team and patients to deliver the best possible health outcomes. In line with other NSW Health mental health facilities, the Forensic Hospital will provide educational and therapeutic programs. Safety is closely linked to security measures and an operational manual has been prepared that outlines procedures as they relate to patients, staff, visitors and contracted services at the Hospital. The high staff to patient ratio, therapeutic models of care, special design and the non-custodial setting of the Forensic Hospital will all serve to minimise incidents of aggression. This security model is based on successful examples in peer forensic facilities. Security at the Forensic Hospital will be the responsibility of Justice Health as the new facility will be a health facility and no longer within the Long Bay Correctional Complex. The Forensic Hospital will be surrounded by a perimeter wall which is the equivalent to that found in a maximum security correctional centre and is fitted with state of the art electronic surveillance equipment. A private security firm, provided through PPP Solutions, the successful proponent for the construction, maintenance and facilities management of the Hospital, will provide gate house security. All clinical staff working at the Forensic Hospital will be provided with training on the prevention and management of violence and aggression. An extensive recruitment campaign has been undertaken by Justice Health to recruit the necessary highly skilled clinical team to operate the Forensic Hospital. Clinical staff will be employed under flexible arrangements that ensure the delivery of high quality patient care. 2750 Legislative Council Questions and Answers No. 79— Wednesday 26 November 2008
*2210 HEALTH—MOUNT DRUITT HOSPITAL—Ms Rhiannon asked the Minister for Health, Minister for the Central Coast, and Vice President of the Executive Council— (1) Is the MInister aware that the original plans for Mount Druitt Hospital included plans for a further building on hospital grounds to house obstetrics and mental health patients and that this building was not built? (2) Why was this building never built? (3) Are there future plans to expand the hospital? (a) If not, why not? (4) Is the MInister aware that a tender has been advertised in October 2008 to sell the retail space at four hospitals, including Mount Druitt Hospital? (a) What are the details of this tender? (5) The Intensive Care Unit at Mount Druitt Hospital has been transferred to Blacktown Hospital. Will the High Dependency Unit remain at Mount Druitt Hospital? Answer— I am advised by the Chief Executive of the Sydney West Area Health Service: (1) to (3). Mount Druitt Hospital was opened in September 1982 as a purpose built 200-bed facility. The Sydney West Area Health Service is not aware of formal plans to expand the facility in 1982. Since 2004 Mt Druitt and Blacktown hospitals have functioned as a single integrated health service. Planning and service delivery now takes place across Blacktown and Mt Druitt hospital campuses as part of that integrated health service model. Planning is continuing across both campuses with the aim of making best use of available resources and expertise. In this context, any expansion of mental health or obstetrics services would be expected to occur mainly on the Blacktown campus. (4). The retail tender is not a proposal to sell the retail space at the hospitals in Sydney West Area Health Service. The object of the tender is to seek expressions of interest from the private sector that involve longer term leases over the retail precincts that will underpin capital injections to refurbish these areas and introduce revised retail proposals that will inject increased revenue into the hospital system. (5). Mount Druitt Hospital has developed as a centre of excellence for elective surgery. Planning currently underway and involving clinical experts is continuing to review the mix of services (including high dependency beds) on the Hospital's campus in order to assure safe and resource-efficient service delivery.
*2211 CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE ENVIRONMENT—EDEN CHIPMILL—Ms Rhiannon asked the Attorney General, Minister for Justice, and Minister for Industrial Relations representing the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce— Will the Minister permit native forest logs of any classification, sourced from Victoria, to be trucked to the Eden Chipmill for the purposes of burning in the proposed wood fired power plant? Answer— No. The NSW Government introduced the Protection of the Environment Operations (General) Amendment (Burning of biomaterial) Regulation 2003 to make it an offence to cause or allow native forest bio-material to be burned for electricity generation. This regulation applies to all forest bio-material proposed to be burnt in NSW. The regulation has exceptions for some types of wood waste, such as sawdust from timber mills.
14 NOVEMBER 2008 (Paper No. 77)
*2336 EMERGENCY SERVICES—AMBULANCE SERVICE OF NSW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER—OVERSEAS TRAVEL—Ms Ficarra asked the Minister for Police, Minister for Lands, and Minister for Emergency Services— (1) In relation to overseas travel, on what dates and to what destinations has the Ambulance Service of 2751 Legislative Council Questions and Answers No. 79— Wednesday 26 November 2008
NSW Chief Executive Officer travelled for the following periods: (a) 2004⁄2005? (b) 2005⁄2006? (c) 2007⁄2008? (2) What is the total amount of public expenditure for such overseas travel? Answer— This question should be redirected to the appropriate Minister.
26 NOVEMBER 2008 (Paper No. 79)
2377 TRANSPORT—PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES TO SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK—Ms Ficarra to ask the Minister for Health, Minister for the Central Coast, and Vice President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Transport, and Minister for the Illawarra— (1) Has the Minister taken any positive steps to address the public transport difficulties of some Commonwealth Bank Group members who are currently relocating from the Central Business District (CBD) to Sydney Olympic Park (SOP)? (a) If so, what? (b) If not, why not? (2) What is your response to the concerns of SOP workers that those attempting to commute by public transport from the Hills District, Central Coast, North Shore, Northern Beaches, Eastern Suburbs, Southern Suburbs and Illawarra are facing additional travel times in excess of an hour with corresponding cost increases? (3) Are public transport using employees of Sydney Water who are moving to Parramatta from the CBD in 2009 facing comparable time and cost increases? (4) What are the estimated increases in daily commuter travel time and weekly costs as a result of these relocations for those living in the Hills District, Central Coast, North Shore, Northern Beaches, Eastern Suburbs, Southern Suburbs and Illawarra? (5) How do these increases compare with changes in public travel time and costs for those living in other parts of greater Sydney? (6) What is the estimated proportion of affected commuters who work for the Commonwealth Banking Group and⁄or Sydney Water who have changed or are likely to change from public transport to get to work to: (a) using private transport to Sydney Olympic Park? (b) using private transport to Parramatta? (c) leaving the service of these employers?
2378 PRIMARY INDUSTRIES—GLEN INNES AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND ADVISORY STATION—Mr Colless to ask the Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for Energy, Minister for Mineral Resources, Minister for State Development— (1) Are you aware that a recent meeting staged to oppose the Government's axing of the Glen Innes Agricultural Research and Advisory Station drew in excess of 350 concerned Glen Innes residents? (2) Is such overwhelming opposition a clear indication of the level of resentment in the wider New England region to this proposed sell-off? (a) If not, why not? (3) (a) What is the planned time frame for the sale of the Glen Innes Agricultural Research and Advisory Station? (b) What is the expected timeframe for the forced redundancies of the 16 staff at this facility? 2752 Legislative Council Questions and Answers No. 79— Wednesday 26 November 2008
(c) Under what guise will their employment be terminated? (4) What is the Government's estimate of revenue that will be generated through the sale of the Glen Innes Agricultural Research and Advisory Station?
2379 ROADS—VICTORIA ROAD UPGRADE PROJECT—Ms Rhiannon to ask the Attorney General, Minister for Justice, and Minister for Industrial Relations representing the Minister for Roads— (1) Has a detailed cost⁄benefit analysis of the Victoria Road Upgrade project been undertaken? (a) If so, what was the outcome? (b) If not, why not? (2) Why is a cost⁄benefit analysis not covered in detail in the Road and Traffic Authority's Environmental Assessment of October 2008? (3) Will the Government release the cost⁄benefit analysis for the Victoria Road upgrade project? (a) If so, when? (b) If not, why not?
2380 ATTORNEY GENERAL—TIRKANDI INABURRA CULTURAL AND DEVELOPMENT CENTRE—Ms Ficarra to ask the Attorney General, Minister for Justice, and Minister for Industrial Relations— (1) Why was 6 months funding provided to Tirkandi Inaburra until December 2008 rather than the normal operational funding provisions? (2) Why was funding reduced to 15%? (3) Why has the centre been asked by your Department to do cost modelling? (4) Why did your Department ask the centre about their reserve trust lease? (5) Are there plans to convert the centre in whole or in part to a juvenile justice facility? (a) If so, (i) in what timeframe? (ii) what is the justification?
2381 ROADS—IRON COVE BRIDGE DUPLICATION PROJECT AND LYONS ROADS AND DARLING STREET TRAFFIC—Ms Ficarra to ask the Attorney General, Minister for Justice, and Minister for Industrial Relations representing the Minister for Roads— (1) What is the Roads and Traffic Authority's (RTA) cost benefit ratio on the Iron Cove Bridge duplication project? (a) Are the benefits significantly greater than the cost estimates? (b) How does this compare with other similarly costed road projects in the past 5 years? (c) What is the ratio range normally required for justifying such New South Wales road projects? (2) What plans are there to handle pinch points such as Lyons Road and Darling Street to decrease potential traffic congestion? (a) What traffic forecasts have been prepared in relation to this project? (b) How will the estimated 30% increase in local traffic in morning peak period be managed? (c) Has a future economic performance assessment to justify construction been conducted on this project?
2382 CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE ENVIRONMENT—PESTICIDE MANAGEMENT—Mr Cohen to ask the Attorney General, Minister for Justice, and Minister for Industrial Relations representing the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce— (1) Is the Minister aware of the recent United Kingdom (UK) High Court judgement which found that the UK Government has not been acting lawfully in its policy and approach to the use of pesticides in crop spraying? 2753 Legislative Council Questions and Answers No. 79— Wednesday 26 November 2008
(a) If so, will further consideration be given to whether pesticide management and use in New South Wales threatens the health of rural communities, especially the regular spraying of fields? (b) If not, why not? (2) How does the New South Wales approach to pesticide use differ from the UK approach? (3) Is the regulatory regime followed in New South Wales for the spraying of pesticides in agricultural regions similar to that of the UK? (4) In light of the findings of the UK High Court, will regulations under the Pesticides Act be made to ensure there are no-spray buffer zones around sensitive sites such as schools, school bus routes, organic farms and health facilities and to provide mandatory notification to adjoining properties where pesticide spraying is proposed to take place, as was promised by a previous Minister for Environment and Climate Change? (a) If not, why not?
Lynn Lovelock Clerk of the Parliaments
______Authorised by the Parliament of New South Wales