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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 13 Hansard (5 December) . . Page.. 4459 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

Mr Wood, I suppose, is behaving like an archconservative here. He is saying, "Nothing should change. It is perfect the way it is. Let us not look at more efficient ways of providing services". We in this Government believe in looking at constantly improving the way government delivers services. That means thinking about new ways of doing things. This should result ultimately in there being more money for grants and less money spent in the administration of grants.

MR WOOD: I ask a supplementary question, Mr Speaker. That was a lot of hogwash to disguise the fact that he wants the philistines to take over.

MR SPEAKER: What is your supplementary question?

MR WOOD: My supplementary question, Mr Speaker, is that the Minister mentioned a great deal about efficiency and how it can be more efficient. Yes, indeed, it can be more efficient. The Auditor-General on pages 5 and 6 of his report makes a few quite sensible and modest suggestions that I would encourage you to look at.

MR SPEAKER: Ask your question.

MR WOOD: They do not involve the taking over of the process that you envisage.

MR SPEAKER: Ask your supplementary question without preamble, Mr Wood.

Mr Humphries: There is not one.

MR WOOD: I have said what needs to be said, so I will ask a question. Minister, instead of pouring a bucket on the credibility of the arts community as you did, will you assure them that you will look at those suggestions on pages 5 and 6, which set out what the Auditor-General thinks ought to be done, and forget your own silly proposals?

MR HUMPHRIES: Yes to the first half of that question; no to the second.

Social and Community Services Award

MR HIRD: Mr Speaker, my question is to Mrs Carnell in her capacity as Minister for Health and Community Care. I refer the Minister to criticism by the Opposition, particularly Ms Reilly, over the Government's progress towards assisting community organisations in assessing the impact of the so-called SACS award, the social and community services award, in the ACT. Can the Minister inform the parliament, for my benefit and for Ms Reilly's benefit, about what progress has been achieved in identifying and responding to the needs of these communities?

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