Page 2865 - Week 09 - Thursday, 13 August 2015

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Ms Lawder: I was referring specifically to the 2015-16 budget. I think Ms Berry was referring to 2014-15 figures. The question was: when was the indexation rate for community sector organisations last reviewed, and when was it last compared to other jurisdictions?

MADAM SPEAKER: I ask the minister, in accordance with the standing orders, to be directly relevant to the question.

MS BERRY: The index is reviewed annually. As I said at the start of my answer, I will bring some information back to the Assembly on the exact amount that the member is after.

MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mrs Jones.

MRS JONES: Minister, did you or your directorate follow the undertakings given by the ACT government set out in the social compact, available online on the government’s time to talk website, when considering reapplying the community sector reform program levy?

MS BERRY: There have been a number of conversations with the community sector about the 0.34 per cent levy. Certainly the savings that have been made to the sector since the 0.34 per cent community sector levy was introduced two years ago have meant that there have been red tape reforms achieved through the levy of $2.4 million. It is expected that—

Ms Lawder: Point of order, Madam Speaker.

MADAM SPEAKER: Point of order. Can you stop the clock, please.

Ms Lawder: The question related to the social compact which the ACT government signed with community sector organisations a few years ago, specifically—not about conversations they have had recently about the community sector compact.

MADAM SPEAKER: Now that Ms Lawder has reminded Minister Berry of the question, could I remind the minister of the provisions of standing order 118(a) and ask her to address the issue in relation to the social compact?

MS BERRY: Sure, Madam Speaker. I was not Minister for Community Services a couple of years ago; so I will have to bring information back on whether there were conversations with the community sector.

MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mrs Jones.

MRS JONES: Minister, what community feedback, if any, did your directorate take into account when deciding to extend the community sector reform program levy of 0.34 per cent in the ACT’s 2015-16 budget?

MS BERRY: The ACT government and the Community Services Directorate took into account all of the feedback from the community services sector.


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