Page 1311 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 27 March 2012

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MRS DUNNE: Supplementary question.

MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mrs Dunne.

MRS DUNNE: Minister, has any financial modelling been done to assess the ongoing viability of this venture?

DR BOURKE: I thank the member for her question and I refer to the previous question which was asked last year of the then minister for education.

MR SPEAKER: Mrs Dunne, a further supplementary question.

MRS DUNNE: Minister, have you or your officials met with Professor Bradley to discuss this variation to her original proposals?

DR BOURKE: I thank the member for her question and I will take that on notice.

Housing—Common Ground proposal

MS BRESNAN: My question is to the Minister for Community Services and is about the feasibility study for the Common Ground proposal. Minister, I understand that the government has finalised the feasibility study and has been discussing this with the organisations supporting the Common Ground proposal in the ACT. Minister, what were the findings from the study and when will it be released publicly?

MS BURCH: I thank Ms Bresnan for her question. Common Ground is a move, a method, of supporting those at risk of homelessness that had its genesis, as I understand, from overseas, and has been implemented in a number of states here. We supported a local community group that has a strong desire to see a Common Ground project established here, with a report. That report is being finalised and considered now. I have not seen the final report as yet. But broadly, from talking with the members of the committee, it notes the work that this government is currently doing in regard to homelessness but recognises that Common Ground has been a successful model in other jurisdictions. Once the report is finalised and within my office, I can give due consideration to it. I do want to acknowledge the work of the steering group of that community group and their input into and support for the notion of Common Ground.

MR SPEAKER: A supplementary, Ms Bresnan.

MS BRESNAN: Yes, Mr Speaker. Minister, what options is the government considering as a result of the feasibility study?

MS BURCH: As I have indicated, I have not seen the final report, so it would be a bit premature to consider what options we are considering. Certainly, we recognise the value of the Common Ground project. Other jurisdictions are quite large. We need to consider the size of our jurisdiction and how it fits in with the suite of programs that we look at in terms of homelessness.


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