Page 2504 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 17 June 2009
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I also acknowledge the difficulty that this diverse range of organisations has in finding common ground but there is an obvious need for this to happen and to be encouraged and supported. I also acknowledge that any compact that the ACT government has initiated with the non-profit sector in the ACT recognises the mutual benefits that the federal compact will have in strengthening these partnerships with the non-profit sector. That is important and is to be encouraged.
But from a local point of view, I have had a look at the FaHCSIA website and the report on the national compact, and one glaring factor remains: how will the compact be delivered and implemented in the ACT? Expectations will be high and the challenge will be to follow through. Real cultural change and commitment will be necessary for the ongoing development of the compact in the short, medium and long term.
Will it suffer the fate of the Gallop report into disability services and vanish into oblivion? I note with alarm that there is no reference at all on the DHCS website to the Gallop report. Again, great intentions with little outcome when you speak to those on the receiving end of disability service delivery.
I note in the consultation paper on the FaHCSIA website relative to the ACT compact that the following was noted:
• A 2007 survey in the ACT had found that while there was a moderate level of awareness of the existence of the compact, there was little awareness of its detail and almost no explicit utilisation of the document.
• Participants said that it had been difficult to maintain a ‘compact relationship’ with the ACT Government due to departmental staff turnover, low community sector staff morale and a loss of trust.
• A positive of the ACT Social Compact raised was that by identifying a number of functions which the community sector fulfilled, those functions had been kept alive. The compact was also credited with helping to foster a more long-term approach to planning in the ACT.
• A key lesson from the ACT Social Compact had been the need for a disputes resolution mechanism.
In its absence, we have a social compact that means well, that articulates excellent principles, but ultimately has no teeth. The consultation from the ACT identified that a national compact needs commitments to a disputes mechanism; ongoing sector and government awareness, particularly in light of staff turnover; and clear oversight mechanisms. Again, the imperative is to ensure that the good intentions are acted upon and any issues that are identified are communicated and followed through well into the future.
I echo the sentiments expressed by Ms Hunter. We welcome and support the initiative as enunciated by Ms Porter but we also recognise the need to have a look at how the ACT can continue into the future in a meaningful and effective way the initiatives that have been suggested.
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