Page 3253 - Week 10 - Thursday, 25 September 2014
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
Hearing what families and children need from a respite facility is an important part of this project and both the foundation and the government have committed to talking with families, children and carers. Disability ACT and Marymead are working together to consult with children and their families and a framework of consultation is being developed which will involve information sessions and individual conversations to engage with children with a disability and their families. The development application will involve consultation with the broader community and also the community of the Chifley community hub.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Wall.
MR WALL: Minister, who will have ownership of the respite centre at Chifley and who will be responsible for the ongoing operation of the centre once construction has been completed?
MS BURCH: It will remain the property of the ACT government.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Dr Bourke.
DR BOURKE: Minister, how does the partnership relate to the government’s election commitment to improve disability respite facilities in the ACT?
MS BURCH: I thank Dr Bourke for his question. The ACT Labor election commitment was to progressively replace the respite facilities in Canberra. I am very pleased to provide an update.
In September last year Disability ACT announced that, in anticipation of the national disability insurance scheme, it would transition the management of centre-based respite services to the non-government sector. In March this year Marymead Child and Family Centre was announced as the successful provider for the children’s respite centre at Kese House. Marymead commenced operating at the centre in August this year. Marymead, as I have just said, will also be providing the services in the new Ricky Stuart Foundation partnership with this government. The ACT government was approached by the Ricky Stuart Foundation with an idea of supporting children with disability, particularly autism. The new centre being constructed by the government in partnership with the foundation will be the first centre to be delivered.
The government’s funding will ensure it meets its commitment to provide a new facility. However, the inclusion of the funding from the Ricky Stuart Foundation will ensure a state-of-the-art respite facility is provided to the community. As mentioned before, the Ricky Stuart Foundation has already raised $500,000 from business and other community members. I think that is an extraordinary contribution. Well done to Ricky Stuart for that, and certainly well done for his commitment to put that investment together with ours to make sure we do the very best for our Canberra children.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video