Page 1368 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 10 May 1994
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These agencies are committed to the implementation of these new arrangements. Madam Speaker, any proposal that improves the efficiency, effectiveness and accountability of services providing this protection deserves the full support of all Assembly members. The amendments proposed in these related Bills reflect such improvements, and I ask that members ensure their successful passage through this Assembly.
MS SZUTY (4.33): Madam Speaker, the changed arrangements in the roles of the Director of Family Services and the Community Advocate have been anticipated by this Assembly for some time. In fact, I remember the then Minister for Housing and Community Services, Mr Connolly, talking about the review of functions of these two areas during the estimates process last year.
As the Minister stated in his presentation speech, these Bills clarify the roles and responsibilities of both the Director of Family Services and the Community Advocate in matters affecting services for the protection of children, and that is all to the good. Other agencies and members of the community will better understand the processes of child protection notification and the roles of both offices more clearly, leading to a better understanding of what both offices do.
The changes proposed are not without resource implications, notwithstanding that both explanatory memorandums to the Bills state that there are no revenue implications to be especially taken note of. I understand that moneys allocated to the Community Advocate's Office are proposed to be maintained as the Community Advocate has acquired two additional functions. These functions are, firstly, to monitor the provision of services for the protection of children and, secondly, to act as advocate for the rights of children. Money allocated to the Family Services Branch of the ACT Housing and Community Services Bureau are anticipated to increase in line with the increased responsibilities of this area, which include, significantly, the Director of Family Services becoming the statutory officer responsible for taking action for child protection matters.
To summarise, Madam Speaker, the Director of Family Services will become the statutory officer responsible for all aspects of child protection service delivery, and the Community Advocate will be the independent monitoring authority which ensures that these services are accountable to the community and will be the authority to advocate for the rights of children. Madam Speaker, these changes to ACT legislation are in line with changes which have occurred in other jurisdictions in Australia and are also in line with international practice.
I am grateful to the Director of Family Services, Chris Healy, and the Community Advocate, Heather McGregor, for spending time with me yesterday to take me through the changes which will be occurring and to outline to me in some detail the practical application of the changed arrangements. I understand that both women are keen to see a more complete review of the Children's Services Act in future, and I welcome that review.
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