Page 4496 - Week 14 - Thursday, 9 December 1993
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The Government has announced funding of $150,000 this financial year for the community safety strategy, of which approximately $100,000 will be available for community based initiatives. In November 1993, when the membership of the community safety committee was announced, the community safety strategy for the ACT was released. The committee, chaired by Mr Ken Begg, comprises a broad cross-section of the community and has been charged with implementing the community's safety strategy.
Like all other governments, the ACT Government has reviewed its current activities in line with the objectives of the national strategy on violence against women. I am pleased that our Government once again proved to be ahead in this vital area. Our activities and policies are consistent with the directions outlined in the strategy. Following consultations on the national strategy on violence against women, the budget provided funding for a major community awareness campaign arising directly from the national strategy on violence against women. The community awareness campaign will include training for front-line ACT Government staff, the provision of information on rights and responsibilities under ACT legislation, and the production of a manual for Community Services, which may need to identify and work sensitively with women escaping violence. The campaign will be designed to complement a media campaign recently launched by the Commonwealth Government to stop violence against women which focuses on men's responsibility for their own violent behaviour.
Further, additional funding was allocated to extend the services of the child at risk unit and to employ additional child protection workers to ensure that children in violent situations are protected and supported. These initiatives give a clear indication of the Government's commitment and continuing initiatives towards the elimination of violence in our society.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
LABOUR MINISTERS CONFERENCE
Ministerial Statement
Debate resumed from 24 November 1993, on motion by Mr Berry:
That the Assembly takes note of the paper.
MR DE DOMENICO (4.38): This conference was held in Canberra, I think in October, and it is interesting to see what is happening now in the ACT. We are all aware of the VMO situation, and perhaps the Minister might shortly update us on what is happening there. We know that the nurses are going before the Industrial Relations Commission; we are aware that the Transport Workers Union has joined a host of other unions which have left the Chief Minister's central coordinating group; and now even the support of the Automotive, Metals and Engineering Union has dried up. To all intents and purposes, the scenario is not good. The Minister apparently does not have the respect of the players, and perhaps the players are saying to the Minister that he needs to get his act together.
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