Page 2610 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 24 August 1994
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The ESRC provides a vital service to people of the ACT in financial hardship. The ESRC was established to provide an avenue for relief for people facing the possibility of disconnection of an essential service. At present, only electricity is defined as an essential service in the ACT, although, as I have announced recently, coverage of the ESRC is being extended to include water and sewerage. I have also received advice that suppliers of gas and telephone services in the ACT already have in place appropriate mechanisms for assisting people experiencing difficulty in paying their accounts.
By way of background, the ESRC comprises a chair, a deputy chair, a community panel of eight members, and a 12-member panel from ACTEW. The composition of the committee ensures that an appropriate cross-section of the community and the Government is represented at all times. Between August 1992 and June 1993, the time covered by this review, the ESRC considered 652 applications from people having difficulty paying their electricity bills. Many of these applications were referred by welfare groups such as the Salvation Army, the Smith Family, CARE, ACTCOSS and the Welfare Rights and Legal Centre. The report I table today identifies strong support for the operations and functions of the ESRC. I would like to stress that there is particularly strong support from community and welfare groups. Indeed, community organisations consulted during the review process were unanimous in stating that the ESRC successfully assists people in coping with power bills during times of financial hardship.
I must say that the findings of this report are very encouraging. Of particular significance, the report notes that there have been fewer applications than expected. To June 1993, only one in every 1,000 residential accounts was the subject of an application. Most of the applications reaching the committee were dealt with to the advantage of the applicant. Indeed, there have been few instances of applications being refused and no instances of clients being fined. The report also notes that there is wide support amongst referring groups and committee members for the existing application process.
No individual in our society should be denied access to an essential service such as electricity. Even in times of financial hardship, everything possible must be done to ensure that people receive the ongoing supply of such a critical service. Fundamental to this Government's policies is a strong commitment to improving social justice for all Canberrans and to strengthening links with community groups and welfare agencies. The ESRC is an excellent example of the way in which we are working closely with both businesses and community organisations to assist ACT residents, particularly the less advantaged groups in our community.
I believe that a report of this nature should be available to all interested parties and I am therefore releasing this document for public comment. Whilst I do not anticipate any major changes to the report, I will report to government any issues that emerge through the public consultation stage. Madam Speaker, I am sure that all members of the Assembly will welcome the findings of this report and, given the level of support the ESRC has received, it is my intention that the committee continue to operate in its present form.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
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