Page 4727 - Week 16 - Wednesday, 28 November 1990
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O'Connor Creative Playgroup
MR MOORE: My question is to Mr Humphries as Minister for Health. I indicated to him earlier today that I would be asking a question about the O'Connor Creative Playgroup Association, whose members have written to him expressing concern that they have been advised that the O'Connor Baby Health Clinic will be closed at the end of the year. That will have an impact on them. Considering the growing recognition of the difficulties faced by parents at home with young children and the advantages of a neighbourhood facility in establishing critical support networks, what consideration, Minister, have you given to either, firstly, retaining the David Street facilities in a manner compatible with the use of the creative playgroup or, secondly, an alternative site being found within walking distance of the homes of the 35 members or 52 children of that playgroup?
MR HUMPHRIES: I thank Mr Moore for giving me notice of this question. Mr Speaker, I have seen the letter that Mr Moore refers to and I have taken advice on the questions that he has raised.
At the present time, the O'Connor Baby Health Centre is being used by community nurses for something like three hours per week. Another user of the Baby Health Centre exists and that, of course, is the O'Connor Creative Playgroup Association. The Government is aware that the community nurses may be - not necessarily will be, but may be - moving into the City Health Centre next year. I am instructed that the O'Connor Baby Health Centre is, in fact, a very old building and is not in the best of condition and, for a variety of reasons, a move of those community nurses may be considered. The Mental Health Branch has indicated that it would like to use the building, but at this stage no firm decision has been made.
I should emphasise that the playgroup has no formal agreement, lease or licence to occupy the premises. It does not pay any rent for the premises and the arrangement is very informal. However, it is my view that the kind of availability for such playgroups that Mr Moore referred to in his question is a desirable thing, and it would be desirable for the Government to continue such services, particularly where they were established and were clearly providing an important service to people in that part of Canberra. As a result, the accommodation officer for the Board of Health is investigating alternative accommodation for the playgroup. I can assure Mr Moore that the group will not be asked to vacate the building until alternative accommodation has been found.
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