Page 2324 - Week 07 - Thursday, 4 August 2016

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video


I look forward to providing updates on the birth family advocacy support service and the great work that Red Cross do with parents in the care system.

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Hinder.

MR HINDER: Minister, can you provide further information on the child and youth engagement service and how children and young people will benefit from this service.

DR BOURKE: A step up for our kids is emphatically about being focused on the child and the young person, and we will recast services around the needs of children and young people, placing their voice at the centre of the care system. The aim of the children and young people engagement support service is to embed a culture that is child focused and responsive to those individual needs of those children and young people.

The child and young people engagement support service will provide a mechanism to engage with children and young people who are in the care system or who have left the care system. It also will provide information and a support network for those children and young people. This service is not an advocacy service for children and young people but will align and work with existing advocacy service providers in the ACT. Engaging children and young people through this new service will support their right to be listened to, to be respected and to participate in decisions that affect their lives. This service will promote self-esteem and confidence building activities and encourage participation in supportive peer groups and community life.

The service will also have a particular focus on engaging with and supporting young people during their transition from the care system. I am pleased to note that the tender process for the children and young people engagement support service is near completion and the service is expected to commence shortly. I look forward to making an announcement about the service provider for this service in the near future.

Government—integrity

MR COE: The question is for the Chief Minister. On 1 August the Canberra Times reported that Minister Rattenbury stated about the ACT government, “People do have concerns in the community, you do hear rumours around town,” in reference to corruption and other essential misconduct. Has Minister Rattenbury raised any concerns about corruption, corruption by either ACT government ministers or officials, with you? If so, what has been your response?

MR BARR: No.

MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Coe.

MR COE: Chief Minister, have Mr Rattenbury or other Greens officials raised concerns about government corruption with you or other government ministers, your office or senior government officials before July 2016?


Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video