Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 1 Hansard (12 December) . . Page.. 184 ..


MR CORBELL (continuing):

opportunity for the government to respond to the issue that Ms Dundas raises in her motion.

In addition my department is undertaking a review of intensive youth support needs. This study is being undertaken in a collaborative way with funded services and is considering the most appropriate service models for young people with intensive needs.

I am also particularly keen to ensure that the financial commitment of the Labor government is effective in meeting the identified needs of young people, and I can assure members, Ms Dundas in particular, that I will be looking closely at the supported assistance accommodation program needs analysis, once it is completed, to ensure that reserves of funds are well targeted to meet the needs of young people in Canberra.

MS TUCKER (5.25): I seek leave to move the amendment circulated in my name, with "revised" written on the top.

Leave granted.

MS TUCKER: I move:

Omit from point (3) the words "and, in particular, in the Belconnen area".

Omit from point (4) the words "in Belconnen and Gungahlin", substitute "with attention to locational need"

Add point (5)

"Recognising that the provision of adequate affordable, secure, appropriate long-term accommodation is an essential part of relieving pressure on emergency accommodation services calls for the Government to-

(i) produce a review of progress towards improving youth crisis accommodation services, in particular, Government responses to, the activities of and linkages between the Youth Housing Task Force, the Youth Supported Accommodation Assistance Program & its Reviews, relevant recommendations of the third and fourth Assemblies, and the Youth Servicing Strategy;

(ii) report to the Assembly on the above Review by the last sitting day in May 2002 including in the report implementation strategies and agreed timelines; and

(iii) include in relevant Annual Reports progress reports on the above implementation strategy".

As members know, I have had a strong interest in issues of housing and accommodation and in the crisis accommodation sector for young people, so I welcome the debate on these needs.

However, I also want government to be done in a considered way. While I acknowledge the gap in crisis accommodation in Gungahlin and Belconnen, I understand that the government is already working on it with the community sector. Further, I am aware that there are important problems in service availability across Canberra, so I hope that my amendment reflects some of the focus in this motion on the locational issue. Although I recognise that the locational issue is valid in Belconnen and Gungahlin, my amendment obviously broadens it.


Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .