Page 1727 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 7 June 2022

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supporting work health and safety right across the ACT public service, including in our health services.

Ms Castley: On a point of order, Madam Speaker, the question was how many times has WorkSafe attended—

MS STEPHEN-SMITH: And I took that question on notice, Ms Castley.

Ms Castley: Great.

MADAM SPEAKER: Members!

Government services—culturally and linguistically diverse communities

MR BRADDOCK: My question is to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. Minister, we know that certain culturally and linguistically diverse communities face increased barriers in accessing government services. It is said if you do not count it, you cannot see it, and if you cannot see it you cannot make sure the service addresses the specific needs. Bearing this in mind, what demographic data is collected on culturally and linguistically diverse clients of ACT Government services?

MS CHEYNE: Thank you, Madam Speaker. And as Mr Braddock noted, we are a proudly multicultural city here in the ACT and we are committed to fostering a city that is inclusive and does recognise that diversity and responds accordingly. So ACT government directorates determine their own scope and methods for data collection which relates to service users and other interactions and how that is used. And so, I am advised that there is not a consistent collection across directorates. You could probably see why that is, in some ways. And that is not necessarily information that is shared across government. So while there is that data collection which can be captured by the different directorates, it has been a matter for the different directorates and different ministers would be speaking to that.

But I would acknowledge that the lack of centralised collection could be creating a potential knowledge gap, perhaps, regarding the needs of our CALD communities by the ACT government. However, I can confirm that the Community Services Directorate is working with the ACT Data Analytic Centre in CMTEDD to consider options for developing an accurate, detailed and centralised data source in the ACT government on the demographics of CALD people living in the ACT and how we can use that data to better inform our services.

MR BRADDOCK: Would that improved data be available to all ACT government services to be able to better understand their clientele?

MS CHEYNE: I will take that on notice, Madam Speaker.

MR DAVIS: How does the government order and then prioritise what data it collects to best support service provision to the CALD community?


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