Page 1336 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 27 March 2012

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outcomes for meeting government funding and reporting requirements and greater consistency across government in funding practices.

Both parties are also directed in the compact to develop and maintain community services and programs, strive for continuous improvement in the quality of work with consumers, support research and evaluation, invest in training and innovation, and provide culturally appropriate services.

I have outlined some of the important features of the social compact and I look forward to its refreshment and its subsequent launch, as I said before. As you see, the compact is an important framework for both the community sector and the government in their ongoing working relationship.

Decision making by community organisations and government is most effective when it has strong leadership, skilled and motivated people, good management and staff development, and takes account of, and actively utilises, the collective experience, knowledge, perspective and strengths of the broad community as well as expertise within the public sector.

MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Mr Hargreaves): The discussion is concluded.

Personal explanation

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): I seek to make a statement under standing order 46.

Leave granted.

MS BURCH: I just want to make the comment and follow on from the continued misinformation—possibly misleading statements—that comes from Mrs Dunne. Here today, in a worthy debate on the social compact, she continued to say that I, as a minister, broke the law. Mrs Dunne hides behind a Public Advocate report that made the comment that there were breaches of the law. Mrs Dunne refers to 24 breaches of the law. The Public Advocate made that comment, but since that time the Public Advocate has recognised that there was no breach of the law. I have brought into this place advice from the most senior counsel of government, the Government Solicitor, who has said that there was no breach of law. That determination has been accepted—well accepted—by the Public Advocate. The only person who does not accept it is Judge Judy over there, Mrs Dunne, who believes that she has more—

MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Mr Hargreaves): Minister Burch, it is improper to refer to—

MS BURCH: I withdraw that comment then, Mr Assistant Speaker.

MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Thank you. Continue.


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