Ms O’CONNOR – Thank you. I want to go back to the National Preventative Mechanism. The Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment requires that state parties undertake to make available the necessary resources for the functioning of the national preventative mechanism. Minister, you failed to do this, but your government can find $4 million for a chocolate fountain at Cadbury. Can’t fund the NPM, can fund a chocolate fountain. Minister, after everything that’s been revealed in the Commission of Inquiry and Royal Commissions into disability, aged care, and child sexual abuse, how do you, as part of this government, justify this funding shortfall and being in repeated breach of the option of protocol?
Mr BARNETT – So thanks very much for the question, and to indicate that our ongoing work with the Commonwealth government in this matter is very important. The first thing is to say that we have invested over those two years, as I have indicated earlier and the ombudsman’s noted in his earlier remarks, we do have some funding from the Commonwealth. That relationship is ongoing. I’d like to refer to the acting secretary to provide the committee with an update with respect to the Commonwealth and their support, and the need for more support from the federal government.
Ms O’CONNOR – Briefly, because what I’m after, just to be clear because we’re winding up for lunch here. I’m after a commitment from you that this funding shortfall will be dealt with as a matter of priority so that Tasmania is not in breach of its international obligations, and that the NPM can do their statutory role.
Mr BARNETT – Thank you for the question, and that’s why I’m referring to the acting secretary to assist the committee –
Ms O’CONNOR – The secretary can’t make a commitment on your behalf.
Mr BARNETT – All right. We’ll come back to that.
Ms O’CONNOR – Okay.
Mr BARNETT – But this will assist the committee.
Ms O’CONNOR – All right.
Mr BARNETT – Because I think you will be interested in the answer.
Ms BOURNE – Thanks, Attorney‑General, through you. Just some very brief history in terms of the implementation of OPCAT has cost in the vicinity of $1.2 million, and the Commonwealth contribution to that has been relatively small of $155,000. Now, there are and remain negotiations, discussions between jurisdictions and the Commonwealth about the role the Commonwealth, in our view, should play in terms of investing in those frameworks, and we continue to seek ongoing co‑funding on the NPM to make sure it can continue to do the work and meet its obligations as has been discussed.
Ms O’CONNOR – Or just do the work, with respect. Just do the work, because I just –
Ms O’CONNOR – So, minister, back to the original question, will you commit to making sure that the NPM is adequately and appropriately funded so that we’re meeting our obligations under OPCAT and that we have a capacity for visits, unannounced, into places where people have their liberty deprived that come under the NPM to protect people from cruel, and inhumane, degrading treatment and torture?
Mr BARNETT – Yes, thanks very much. Look, in short, having been a federal senator, and I know in terms of these processes, the Commonwealth has made that commitment. My understanding – well, the state government has made that commitment in terms of support –
Ms O’CONNOR – Aren’t you a party to it as well?
Mr BARNETT – For the OPCAT. I was just checking the exact date when that was signed.
Ms O’CONNOR – Support means resources.
Mr BARNETT – So I absolutely commit to what the government has provided in writing to the Commonwealth and to the public. It’s on the public records, so yes. The answer is yes. Those commitments are on the public record. Those objectives are very important.
Ms O’CONNOR – Well, that wasn’t the question. You’ve answered your own question.
Mr BARNETT – As an Attorney‑General, I take it seriously, and I will do everything I can within my sphere of influence to progress those objectives.
Ms O’CONNOR – What.
