Page 2131 - Week 06 - Thursday, 7 May 2009
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government to think they could attract that many teachers in such a short space of time. I also understand that there are issues at the initial recruitment level with teachers from other regions being put off due to a long and arduous selection process.
It seems that some schools have a situation where teachers are required to backfill vacancies that already exist, ultimately resulting in these teachers being in charge of teaching subject areas they may not be familiar with. Everyone must agree that this is creating a less than optimal teaching situation for both staff and students. Even if the teachers are found, it is also alarming to think about what will happen when the efficiency dividend needs to be found in the department. Remember that we are looking for $12 million over the three years from 2010.
This year provides the smokescreen that all is okay. “ACT Labor are to be trusted” is the underlying theme. The government would have us believe that they have listened and that they are ready to consult. Old habits die hard for some and some old dogs refuse to learn new tricks or undertake new consultation. Despite what is said, they will tell us what they want us to believe and no more. Spin is in overdrive and dressing up this unpalatable budget must be a chore.
I will now move on to the disability portfolio. I am encouraged to see an additional $750,000 per year over four years to assist patients that have spent a significantly excessive amount of time waiting on funding packages to return home and begin the rest of their lives. I am aware of a number of individuals who will welcome this particular initiative and who will say, “About time.”
It is estimated that there will be a number of ACT residents who will require assistance as a result of newly acquired disability. We may well attribute this to emerging technologies in medical science. Regardless of why these are the numbers, the fact remains that there will an ongoing need now and into the future to provide for these individuals and assist them to move forward with their lives.
Support for people with a disability must go beyond the basic needs of accommodation, personal care and financial support. Quality of life is a crucial aspect of the needs of people with a disability, and this should not be seen as an “optional extra” when we consider programs that address the fundamentals. I wholeheartedly welcome the announcement of a companion card, which now brings us in line with other jurisdictions. This is an announcement that has been long overdue. We must also remember that this requires the cooperation of business to be successful.
We have had two days to digest this year’s budget, so I look forward to scrutinising the 2009-10 budget further, line by line, during the estimates process. It is clear at this stage, however, that this is not a budget for the times. It is a budget that ignores the times. We are on the long, lonely, dead-end road to deficit and debt. And while the GFC can be used as an excuse this year, what about when we are seven years down that long, lonely track? We are the only jurisdiction in deficit and we need look no further to find blame than this government for failing to prepare for the bad times and squandering the good times.
MS BRESNAN (Brindabella) (5.11): I will go through some of my portfolio areas and point out the key issues in this budget for these areas as I see them. As an
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