Page 1016 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 24 March 2015

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This governance function is part of the broader reform to strengthen accountability and to ensure a high-functioning care system for the ACT. Further initiatives under “A step up for our kids” will include legislative amendments, development of a regulatory framework, adoption of national out of home care standards, performance-based contracting, and establishment of independent advocacy services for both birth parents and carers.

The interim council will be chaired by Ms Bev Orr OAM, one of Australia’s leading foster care advocates. Ms Orr brings to this position more than 40 years of experience working with children and also with young people and families, including as a longstanding executive of the Australian Foster Care Association and Families Australia. The interim council comprises an experienced membership with a wealth of expertise in child protection, the out of home care system, trauma and attachment, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, and public policy and administration.

I would like to welcome Ms Bev Orr, Ms Michele Abel, Ms Annette Jackson, Dr Ray Lovett and Dr Catherine Sansum to the interim council. I also welcome ex-officio members Mrs Sue Chapman, Deputy Director-General of the Community Services Directorate, and Dr Mark Collis, Executive Director of the Office of Children, Youth and Family Support. These members not only provide a high degree of professional expertise but bring with them a comprehensive understanding of both the significant changes required of the service system and, most importantly, that the voice of the child is central to everything that we do.

Members of the council will convene on a quarterly basis, with the first meeting to be held in April this year. I look forward to working with the interim Children and Youth Services Ministerial Advisory Council on this groundbreaking initiative as we step up for ACT’s most vulnerable children and young people.

I present the following paper:

Interim Children and Youth Services Ministerial Advisory Council—Ministerial statement, 24 March 2015.

I move:

That the Assembly takes note of the paper.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Disability services

Ministerial statement

MS BURCH (Brindabella—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for Disability, Minister for Racing and Gaming and Minister for the Arts) (11.54), by leave: The ACT government is committed to implementing the national disability insurance scheme for people with a disability,


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