Page 1530 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 2 May 1990
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MR HUMPHRIES: No, Mr Speaker, it is not true that the Minister has misled the Assembly. If Mr Berry carefully reads the words that he has just read out, he will see that I am referring to the allocation of funds on a permanent, proper basis - - -
Mr Berry: Grants. It says "whereby grants are made".
MR HUMPHRIES: Grants, funds or whatever word you want to use. The allocation of grants or funds from the fund does require legislation. I spoke earlier today in answering another question, I think from you, about the establishment of an advisory committee to advise - - -
Mr Berry: No, that was from Hector.
MR HUMPHRIES: Okay, from Hector or whoever it was, Mr Berry. It does not alter the fact that you were wrong. The reality is that to provide for that advice to the Government no legislation is necessary and none will be forthcoming. Appointments to that committee will be made in due course after proper consultation. I can assure Mr Berry that the fund will be operating on a permanent basis as soon as legislation is properly drafted and brought before the Assembly.
HUMAN RIGHTS AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION - INQUIRY INTO HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE - ALLIANCE GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
Ministerial Statement and Papers
MR COLLAERY (Attorney-General): Mr Speaker, I wish to table the ACT Alliance Government response to the report of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission inquiry into homeless children and young people.
MR SPEAKER: Do you wish to make a statement on that as well, Mr Collaery?
MR COLLAERY: Yes. I seek leave to make a statement on it.
Leave granted.
MR COLLAERY: Mr Speaker, we have called this response Beyond the Burdekin Report. When the report, known now popularly as the Burdekin report, was released in February 1989 it drew the attention of the nation to a complex and sad situation. Clearly this situation is so serious that approaches to alleviate homelessness are deserving of bipartisan political support, but responsibilities must be shared by all levels - government, community, churches, business and industry.
When our Alliance Government came to power, almost a year after the inquiry's findings were released, we were deeply concerned by the range of issues raised and by the tragedy of
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