Page 2518 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 7 August 1991
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However, the decision which locks these four people out and which reduces the funding from 28 to 24 was of the Federal Government; it was based on Federal Government criteria which are rather too rigid and inflexible. I have written to the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Howe, pointing out to him the problems that his department's decision has caused these four families and that this is a matter which will be transferring to the ACT as of 1 January next year, and requesting that the Commonwealth reconsider its position and continue the funding for these four people.
Ms Maher asks whether it is true that it may end up costing more with these people having to be cared for by IDS. Indeed, it may. It is an illogicality in Federal and State funding arrangements that I cannot take money from the IDS program and put it into Sharing Places. I rather wish I could, but I cannot. The disability services agreement, which was signed by the Chief Minister on behalf of the Territory, will, in the long run, remove these anomalies. I have written to the Deputy Prime Minister and asked him to reconsider his decision in respect of these four families.
MS MAHER: I ask a supplementary question. Mr Connolly, I have also been told that alternative activities are being considered. Are you aware of any alternatives that are being considered; if so, when will these alternative activities or programs be up and running, taking into consideration that by Christmas there could be at least 12 people sitting at home, not being able to tap into the services that, say, Sharing Places provides? They will be just sitting at home deteriorating, rather than learning the life skills that Sharing Places gives them.
MR CONNOLLY: I can undertake to give Ms Maher the details of alternative arrangements. I am aware that the disability services area of my department is doing all that it can to provide some alternative to these people. I will undertake to give Ms Maher the details of precisely what the options appear to be.
Land Tax
MR JENSEN: Mr Speaker, my question, which is directed to the Chief Minister, follows on from the question asked by Mr Kaine, the Liberal leader. Is it true, Ms Follett, that owners of homes within Canberra, who return from a compulsory posting or appointment interstate or overseas early in the financial year and after the land tax assessment has been made, will be required to pay the land tax assessment, despite the fact that they are no longer landlords?
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