Page 2940 - Week 10 - Thursday, 15 August 1991
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This is a good illustration of what Mr Connolly was saying, I think last week, where Federal legislation or Federal regulations govern all situations across the country, sometimes to the exclusion of circumstances in local situations where discretion is required in the way in which a particular circumstance is handled. In this case the dictates of the Act prevent the society from using Hartley Court, or that part of Hartley Court that they require, for respite care. That is a matter of concern.
I understand the reasons why the Act suggests that there should not be use of those sorts of facilities for that kind of purpose. I am not sure that they should be insurmountable reasons why there is not an allowance in this case for Hartley Court to be used for that purpose. If members of this Assembly assist the society by contacting the Federal Government, by making representations on behalf of the society, it may be that the Federal Minister, Mr Howe, can be persuaded to exercise his discretion in favour of the society.
Certainly, I think that that particular service - respite care for those who are looking after the disabled - and that kind of facility are extremely important in the ACT and would be, I think, greatly appreciated not only by the society but by anybody who is in this particular part of the community services area. I hope that my colleagues will support me in this and that we will see some action in the very near future on this and this will go down as an achievement of local politicians under self-government, something that we can look back to and say, "This is one small thing that self-government has achieved for the people of the ACT".
Licensed Club Industry
MR DUBY (5.37): May I say how much I endorse the comments of Mr Humphries. I am sure that I speak for all members of the Assembly when I say that his efforts on behalf of the ACT Society for the Physically Handicapped shall be supported by all members.
I know that I have only limited time in the adjournment debate; but I rise to spring to the defence, first of all, of those members of the community who are actively involved in the club industry, such as members of the Licensed Clubs Association; and also, of course, of employees of the former GALA, whose functions are now carried on by the ACT Revenue Office. I would like to say just how distasteful I personally think Mr Stevenson's comments earlier this afternoon were. There is no basis whatsoever for the slur campaign - apparently I cannot use the word "smear" - which he has now initiated against members of the Licensed Clubs Association, against members of the industry, and, in my view, against not only members of the Revenue Office and
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