Page 1383 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 13 May 2014
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The design of the blueprint has required a high level of commitment and leadership, as I say, across government and the community sector. Communication and engagement activities have included a discussion paper; public submissions and an online survey; focus groups with individuals and the community services sector as well as targeted stakeholder engagement; an intensive two-day design workshop; and the establishment of a human services task force comprising ACT government directors-general and community sector leaders to provide strategic oversight and direction. The blueprint has attracted a high level of support from community sector stakeholders, with the ACT Council of Social Service one of a number of peak bodies actively involved in supporting the development of the blueprint.
All Canberrans, especially our most disadvantaged residents, are supported by a committed human services system that includes public and community housing; child, youth and family support services; disability services; and more. We know that the range of services people might need can be different at different times in their lives. We know that people might need these services at different intensities at different times. We also know that we need to help people to live as independent a life as possible and help them develop the skills and capacity to take the opportunities that can lead to a better life. The human services blueprint redesigns the way the system itself works, providing flexibility and responsiveness to people when they need it most. It means that the system will be adaptable to the people it serves and less focused on organisational and program boundaries.
The government believes this new framework will better deliver services to the community and will provide vulnerable people in particular with services that respond best to their needs. It is an example of this government’s commitment to supporting those most in need, those in our community who need a helping hand, particularly as they will bear the brunt of tonight’s regressive federal budget.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Porter.
MS PORTER: Minister, why has the government undertaken this work?
MR BARR: To make optimal use of the government’s and the community’s resources to improve outcomes for the Canberra community. The fundamental transformation in human services provided, for example, through the national disability insurance scheme will inevitably have flow-on impacts into other parts of the human services system. It is important that the more than $400 million a year that the government spends on community services is as effective as possible.
In this spirit we have undertaken our blueprint work to create a better service experience, and to ensure services are person centred, that they are simple, respectful and easy to navigate. We want to make sure services are better matched to people’s actual needs and are guided by the principles of the right support at the right time for the right duration.
We also want to improve economic and social participation, particularly amongst disadvantaged Canberrans. We seek to build people’s skills and capacity to better
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