Page 2067 - Week 07 - Thursday, 16 June 1994
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include the application of community safety principles to urban design so that the areas where people live are less conducive to crime. People can feel safer in and around their own homes. There is also provision for grants for community safety projects within that strategy as well.
I informed the Assembly earlier in the year, Madam Speaker, that the Government was commencing work on a draft three-year forward plan for older citizens. That will outline initiatives to remove barriers to access to participation by older people. Very importantly, as well, it will generate positive attitudes to ageing. Work on that draft three-year plan will be proceeding. That will be proceeding, obviously, in consultation. We have also established a family support group at the Jindalee nursing facility. The purpose of that is to provide the opportunity for carers and their families to support each other in a social and supportive forum. I think that is another important initiative.
I would like to draw attention, just briefly, to the concessions that apply also on a range of government services, because those concessions have been expanded. We have enhanced access to electricity concessions during the winter months. That is very important, particularly for people who spend a lot of time in their own homes. Concessions on rates will now be able to be retained, presuming that that is the will of the Assembly, even if people defer their rates. If people defer their rates and they are eligible for a concession, the ultimate liability is still at the concessional rate. I have asked the Council on the Ageing, by way of a special grant, to assist with promotion and with education on the benefits of rates deferral so as to advise older citizens on those matters and of the benefits to them in taking advantage of the deferral scheme.
Madam Speaker, I think that Mr Kaine is wrong to say that there is nothing in the budget for older citizens. I have not mentioned in my reply some of the initiatives within, for instance, the public housing area or the health area which, again, would be of benefit to older citizens as well. I know that Mr Kaine will continue to run this line, but if you look at what has been achieved and if you look at the social justice budget statement you will see that this Government has delivered a range of benefits to older Canberrans, and we will continue to do so.
MR KAINE: I ask a supplementary question, Madam Speaker. That was a long answer that did not say very much. Given that the financial provision for our 30,000 ageing people is less than that provided to both softball and rugby union, when does the Chief Minister really intend to confront the major issues, like the provision of convalescent care and the removal of people from our nursing homes so that the ageing people of the community can use the facilities that were initially provided for them? These are major issues, not fiddling around the fringes. They are the big ones. When do you intend to address them? In which budget year, if ever?
MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, Mr Kaine continues to perpetuate the notion that all old people are sick. They are not. I put it to you that there could well be many older and elderly citizens in our community who love sport, who are happy to see an active sporting program and good sporting facilities provided in our community.
Mr Kaine: Are many of them playing rugby union?
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