Page 3410 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 23 September 2015

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MS BERRY: The second implementation plan sets out clear actions to improve programs, services and systems that support families experiencing, or who are at risk of, domestic and family violence and sexual assault. For example, by increasing awareness of domestic violence for front-line workers in the ACT government and by ensuring that they are trained to identify and respond to domestic violence, we will be able to make a real and significant difference in the lives of women in the ACT.

The government has committed that every directorate across the ACT will develop individual action plans under the 2IP. These will provide a reporting framework to make sure that the actions in the implementation plan are followed through and implemented across government. Each directorate has been working with the ACT Office of Women to develop these action plans. The support and eagerness that have been shown across the government gives me confidence that we are moving to a space where all ACT government workers, in fact all Canberrans, recognise their duty to respond to women and their children who are experiencing domestic violence in the ACT.

It is critical that the government and the community sector work together to deliver effective, well-targeted and integrated services to support women and children who have experienced domestic and family violence and sexual assault. I am confident that, as a community, we can support women and children who have experienced or been affected by domestic or family violence, from early intervention to post-crisis support.

Education and disability—government policies

MRS JONES: My question is to the Chief Minister. In May both the Australian Education Union and the Telopea school P&C passed motions of no confidence in the minister for education. On 19 September the committee of Speaking Out for Autism Spectrum Disorder passed a motion of no confidence in Minister Burch both as the minister for education and Minister for Disability and in the ACT government as a whole. Why has the government lost the confidence of this community in its handling of education and disability matters?

MR BARR: It has not.

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mrs Jones.

MRS JONES: Minister, what are you doing to rebuild confidence with these community groups?

MR BARR: The government will continue its focus—all ministers—on improving services to the people of Canberra.

MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Doszpot.

MR DOSZPOT: Chief Minister, will Ms Burch remain as the minister for education and the Minister for Disability until the 2016 election?


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