Page 1298 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 27 March 2012
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MR COE: Chief Minister, how many executive level employees in the ACT government are contractors and not standard appointments?
MS GALLAGHER: I would have to take that on notice. As members would know, with the frequency with which I update the Assembly on executive contracts, these arrangements can change for short-term and long-term arrangements. People might hold substantive positions but move into another position for a period of time, in which case the contracts and the information to the Assembly, indeed, can update that for the information of members. I will see if I can provide any further information on that. It does change, so getting accurate details of that may be quite an intensive program. I think I am tabling the ACT public service workforce profile on Thursday this week. That will provide a range of information for members as well.
Homelessness—Kids Under Cover program
MS HUNTER: My question is to the minister for children and young people and relates to the Kids Under Cover program. Minister, last week Kids Under Cover, in partnership with the Victorian real estate network, was given national recognition of its partnership in the work they do in preventing youth homelessness. This was at the national homelessness services achievement awards. Minister, can you advise how many Kids Under Cover studios there are in total in the ACT and how many are currently being used?
MS BURCH: I thank Ms Hunter for her question. As I understand it, Kids Under Cover is part of a suite of programs we are doing to support families that are at risk of homelessness. As I understand it, the numbers are not high. I think there are about three. I do not have any advice but I can certainly find out if they have moved. They are designed so that they can move from property to property as the needs of the families and the young people change. I am also aware that they are not all funded through government. There has been a member of the community who has provided support for that as well. But I can get some advice about the numbers that use it. I would also be interested to see if they are still in the same place or whether they have moved, to support another family.
MR SPEAKER: Supplementary, Ms Hunter.
MS HUNTER: Minister, are there any plans for an expansion of this program in the ACT?
MS BURCH: There is no active plan for expansion in front of me at the moment but I think it is worth looking to see how the program goes. I notice in other states that it is about other parties, other community contributions, that really do underpin and make it a success.
But as part of our broad sweep of programs that support families and those teenager years where they are at risk of homelessness, it certainly has a place.
MS BRESNAN: Supplementary.
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