Page 2827 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 21 October 1992
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We have to attack the problem of graffiti as an overall problem. We have made the point repeatedly that parents must take some responsibility here. Kids that are graffiti-ing road signs presumably are coming home with paint on their clothes or their hands. It would be helpful if parents asked some questions. We do not want to go as far as Mr Cornwell, who would sue the parents for the damage done by the kids and throw the parents out of the home - make people bankrupt for the activity of their children. We need to take an overall community approach to this. Like every city in Australia, we have a problem with graffiti. We are addressing that problem through our ongoing maintenance program. If Mr Humphries thinks that any government could give a promise to have every piece of graffiti removed the day after it was put there, he is living in fantasy land.
Child Health Clinics
MR MOORE: My question is addressed to the Minister for Health. Can the Minister assure the Assembly that community health clinics providing services to new mothers, babies and young children will remain open over the Christmas school holiday period?
MR BERRY: I thank Mr Moore for the question. I can say to Mr Moore that, historically, in that December-January period the 38 child health clinics are not fully utilised and many staff take some leave during that time. I would expect managers to ensure that they take most advantage of that period to make any savings that might be available. There will be clinics open over the period. The Community Nursing Service closes some clinics and selects the most appropriate and accessible clinics to remain open. They undergo a process in the lead-up to that period for determining the extent of closure, and that is currently under way.
The December-January clinic hours, I am informed, are advertised in the Canberra Times and displayed in child health clinics in advance of the proposed closures. In addition to child health clinics, parents can utilise services available through community medical practitioners at health centres. I can guarantee that there will be child health clinics open; but not all of them will be open in the quiet period over Christmas, because of the reasons I have given you.
MR MOORE: I ask a supplementary question. Can you give an indication of how many of the 38, I think you said, are going to close?
MR BERRY: I am advised that 38 is the full number. I do not have any advice in relation to the ones that will remain open over the various stages of Christmas.
Mr Moore: What sort of percentage, then?
MR BERRY: As I told you, the process of examining the extent of the closure is currently under way. If you like, when we get to a position where we know what it is, we can tell you.
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