Page 1759 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 15 June 1993
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such legislation or its impact on the ACT. I have taken up that issue with the Prime Minister, in my letter to him, and I would expect that the Commonwealth legislation would take into account the issue that Mrs Carnell has raised of land which has yet to be released because, as I say, the basic owner of that land is the Commonwealth.
MRS CARNELL: I have a supplementary question, Madam Speaker. What briefs in this matter of really great economic uncertainty has the Chief Minister requested? Can they be provided and, if not, why not?
MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, the briefing that I have received has been largely to do with the issues under consideration at the COAG meeting and also with the legal position, of course. I think they are the only briefs that I have received on the matter. Madam Speaker, I think it is very much to be regretted that conservatives, and I include both Mr Humphries and Mrs Carnell in this, have sought to use this matter as a scaremongering tactic - - -
Mr Berry: To divide the community.
MS FOLLETT: Not just to divide the community, but to throw a scare into our commercial sector. Madam Speaker, no such scare is warranted. Madam Speaker, if ever there was a scaremongering exercise, I would ask the conservatives opposite to have a look at what their colleagues Mr Kennett and, from Western Australia, Mr Court have put on the record there. I have never seen such scaremongering tactics in my life; tactics specifically designed to put off investors and to blame it on another sector of the community. They have a lot to wear in this whole debate.
Disability Services Grants
MR LAMONT: My question is directed to the Minister for Housing and Community Services. Can the Minister inform the Assembly of any grants to ACT based programs arising out of the recent round of disability services grants program announcements?
MR CONNOLLY: I am very pleased to be able to announce today the second funding round under the disability services grants program. Grants totalling some $322,000 were announced today. The grants include two new accommodation services which will support six people with psychiatric disabilities and four people who have brain injuries. Both of these services are a first for the ACT. Although disability services - - -
Mr Kaine: Would you like leave to make a ministerial statement on this matter?
MR CONNOLLY: Opposition members may wish to scoff about this, but it is a very important issue for the community. It again shows that the Labor Government is getting on with the job rather than grandstanding and stunting, as our colleagues opposite seem to spend most of their time doing.
Although the disability services legislation includes provision for people with a range of disabilities, this is in fact the first time that people with psychiatric disabilities and people with acquired brain injury have been provided with support for their accommodation needs. Both groups within the community have
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