Page 1393 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 24 March 2010

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afternoon. However, the AMC has an on-call doctor which TRC prisoners are also able to access when required.

In relation to the second question, ACT Corrective Services supports community organisations visiting the TRC for health-related matters. The ACT Hepatitis Resource Centre will shortly commence regular visits to the TRC. When health-related community organisations have approached Corrective Services requesting access to the prisoners accommodated at the TRC, these requests have been approved. TRC prisoners are encouraged, however, to also access such services in the community, for the reasons I have mentioned earlier.

In relation to the third question, TRC prisoners are provided transport to medical appointments in the community in a Corrective Services vehicle dedicated to assisting TRC prisoners attend appointments such as medical appointments, work commitments and other approved appointments.

Bimberi—Aboriginal liaison officer

Social workers—stress leave

MS BURCH: Today during question time Mr Coe asked about the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander detainees. I can advise that on 19 March there were 11 Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander detainees in Bimberi.

Also during question time Mr Doszpot asked me to table the department’s harassment policy. I have it here for those with an interest. I table the following paper:

Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services—Copy of Harassment Prevention Policy.

Volunteers—older Canberrans

MS PORTER (Ginninderra) (3.09): I move:

That this Assembly congratulate older Canberrans for the contribution they make to the economic life of our community through volunteerism.

I am happy to be able to speak to this motion today because it is one of utmost importance to the community. As this week we recognise Seniors Week, I wish to draw members’ attention to the fact that in the ACT we have one of the fastest growing populations of older people in Australia. There are over 66,000 people aged 55 years and over living in the ACT. It is expected by 2047 the proportion of people living in the ACT aged 65 and over will represent 21.5 per cent of the total population. This is double the current elderly portion of our population.

The challenges that are posed by this ageing population are increasingly becoming the focus of economic and social policy not only for the ACT government but of course for governments at every level. The population is ageing. People are expected to live longer and to continue to actively participate in the paid and/or the voluntary workforce beyond what is traditionally thought of as the retirement age and maintain a high level of general health and wellbeing.


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