Page 465 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 21 February 2012

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f) Any other relevant matter.

The committee will report to the Legislative Assembly on this inquiry in August 2012. The committee is issuing a media release that clearly presents the inquiry’s terms of reference and the committee’s open invitation for submissions. The committee will draw this information to the attention of the many individuals and organisations whom the committee has identified as having been involved in the matters specified in the terms of reference. The committee will also alert business, tourism, environmental and other groups who may have members and other contacts that have engaged with these matters.

Children and Young People (Transition from Out-of-Home Care) Amendment Bill 2011

[Cognate bill:

Children and Young People (Transition to Independence) Bill 2011]

Debate resumed from 16 February 2012, on motion by Ms Burch:

That this bill be agreed to in principle.

MR SPEAKER: I remind members that in debating order of the day No 3, executive business, they may also address their remarks to private members’ business order of the day No 14.

MS BURCH (Brindabella—Minister for Community Services, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Women and Minister for Gaming and Racing) (10.24), in reply: In December last year I tabled the Children and Young People (Transition from Out-of-Home Care) Amendment Bill 2011. I am pleased to be able to talk on this issue today, which builds on the work that the ACT government is already doing to support young people transitioning from out-of-home care.

There are important differences between the government’s bill and Ms Hunter’s bill, which I will make comment on over the next little while. I am pleased to note that the Canberra Liberals support the government’s bill.

The government’s bill amends the Children and Young People Act to ensure that young people transitioning from out-of-home care are provided with key supports and assistance they need, and extends these supports up to the age of 25. For the territory parent, it will involve providing supports similar to those which most parents of the ACT provide after their children turn 18. Evidence shows that optimal outcomes for young people transitioning from out-of-home care to adulthood are more likely to be achieved when the process is a gradual and well-supported one, based on strong preparation and planning, with access to tailored support to consolidate living skills and promote independence and support after leaving care to foster resilience and stability.

The government bill supports the work we already are doing to implement a new service delivery model to achieve the best possible outcomes for young people


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