Page 309 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 12 May 1992
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Housing Trust
MR LAMONT (10.32): I rise to pay tribute to the ACT Housing Trust, in particular for the publication of a booklet now available through the trust called "The A-Z of Home Purchase". This booklet, released in May of this year, sets out the steps that a prospective home purchaser should follow. I wish that such a book had been available some 17 years ago when I set out with my wife to investigate how to purchase a house. I am sure that I would not have gone through a number of the pitfalls that I found myself in.
This document - it is attributed in the front to cooperation between the ACT Housing Trust and the New South Wales Department of Housing and is an adaptation of a New South Wales Department of Housing publication - I understand has been issued to over 300 persons who attended an information night at the Canberra Labor Club recently put on by the ACT Housing Trust. It was received wholeheartedly by the people who attended that meeting. I also understand that the trust will be holding other meetings in Woden and Tuggeranong, and again at Belconnen later in this year. I commend this publication not only to all members of the Assembly but also to all prospective home buyers in the ACT. I again congratulate the trust for its excellent work.
International Nurses Day
MR BERRY (Minister for Health, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Sport) (10.34), in reply: In closing the debate I would like to talk today about International Nurses Day, Tuesday, 12 May. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate nurses for their important role in the ACT health system. International Nurses Day is held on 12 May every year, commemorating the birthday of - guess who? - Florence Nightingale. She lived from 1820 to 1910.
The theme this year is healthy ageing. Delivering to older patients not only quality care but also successful health promotion programs continues to provide a challenge to nurses, health providers and social policy makers. New trends and innovations in the care of the elderly indicate that nurses around the world are meeting this challenge. From health promotion to terminal care, or home assessments to family care-giver support, nurses are using their knowledge and professional skills to meet the needs of their patients.
International Nurses Day 1992 is an opportunity not only to identify the needs of older patients but also to seek out opportunities for change and innovation. Nursing is recognised as the largest single component of the services needed in providing care for the sick or dying elderly. On a professional level, to deliver such care, new activities for the protection and the promotion of health are being developed. These emphasise limiting the development of chronic ailments and aged-related loss of functions.
Careerwise, the ACT Government is supporting developments in the nursing profession to create closer links in the professional structure across Australia. I welcome a proposal by Australian nurses to establish an Australian Nursing Council. In 1990 a steering committee was convened to develop and establish a national authority to be known as the Australian Nursing Council. The purpose
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