Page 1847 - Week 09 - Thursday, 19 October 1989
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
Thursday, 19 October 1989
_________________________
MR SPEAKER (Mr Prowse) took the chair at 10.30 am and read the prayer.
SOCIAL POLICY - STANDING COMMITTEE
Report
MR WOOD (10.30): Mr Speaker, I present the report of the Standing Committee on Social Policy on the needs of the ageing, together with copies of the minutes of proceedings of the committee. I move:
That the recommendations be agreed to.
The needs of the ageing inquiry was the first reference which the Assembly made to the Social Policy Committee. That this is so reflects the importance that the Assembly attaches to the topic. I want to acknowledge that it was the interest of Mr Kaine, the Leader of the Opposition, that raised this and it was his initiative in the Assembly that brought it forward. I trust, Mr Kaine, that the report meets your expectations.
The Chief Minister has shown great interest in the proceedings of the committee and on many occasions has expressed to me her interest in the topic, acknowledging that the ageing comprise a growing sector of our community. I look forward to working with the Chief Minister in implementing the committee's recommendations.
The committee was asked to inquire into the needs of the ageing in the ACT community over the next five years in terms of home care, units and hostels, nursing homes, hospital and hospice accommodation and other accommodation needs. It was asked to give particular attention to the needs of the frail and disabled, dementia patients, those of ethnic origins and those requiring respite facilities. It was also asked to consider other matters relating to the ageing, including access to shopping and community facilities and concessions.
This report has 60 recommendations focusing on the issues raised in the inquiry's terms of reference. Some of those recommendations have cost implications - in some cases quite substantial. The committee would expect these to be implemented over that five-year period. The committee was conscious of budgetary considerations. It was, however, more conscious of the needs of the ageing. We believe our program is what is needed. We believe that it is a program that can be achieved. Many recommendations do not have cost implications and can be quite readily implemented.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .