Page 245 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 30 May 1989
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As the numbers of elderly and disabled increase, the benefits of the HACC program will become even more obvious. I have given priority to improving services for the younger disabled and to helping our ethnic aged and disabled access these services. We also provide housing for those who need more care than can ever be provided by the family at home. Bruce Hostel, Jindalee Nursing Home and Hennessy House will all be familiar names to you. Residents contribute to the cost of their accommodation and are helped in daily living by expert, compassionate staff. I am keen to ensure that the rights of these residents are protected. The recent Commonwealth report "I'm Still an Individual" will be useful in this regard.
I am conscious of the comments that Dr Kearney made about Jindalee Nursing Home - in particular, that there are unsatisfactory design features that will be difficult to overcome - and am looking to see what can be done to improve the living standards of those residents.
The right of each of our residents to as normal a lifestyle as is possible is paramount. The focus in ACT intellectual disability services to move people from hostels to group houses and, for the better adjusted, to move out into the general community is very welcome, and I look forward to it continuing.
We must not forget that we provide homes for wards of the state. I have asked that steps be taken to ensure that the well-being of these young people is carefully monitored and that they are in the best possible home for each individual. My community welfare area has been directly placing some of these children with foster parents, to ensure that their needs are met as well as possible. I consider this to be a good way to provide homes for some of our more difficult children.
I would like to conclude my discussion today on a more general note. I have tried to set out for members a profile of some of the people we assist and the services available to them. These people have something in common - they need greater or lesser amounts of help to get roofs over their heads. The other more important things that they have in common with other members and me are the rights of equality, to be treated as valued members of our society, to access services and to participate in decision making about themselves. My portfolio tries to achieve this delicate balance, and generally succeeds well.
The Government would not deny that more accommodation options are required in a range of areas and, as I have previously said, we will be working progressively in this area, recognising our priorities of social justice. Today, however, I have concentrated on existing services. My portfolio is delivering a wide range of direct housing services and many types of assistance. My priority in this matter is to ensure that we are delivering these services
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