Page 3639 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 13 September 2017
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MS BERRY: If members opposite have questions about the program they are always welcome to go and visit the development. I know that a number of members have been on a tour of Ginninderry to have a look at what the development will offer the Canberra community over the next three decades at least.
One of the great things that have come out of that program—and people may have heard about the individual—was a young person, a teenager, Marvellous Sigudu who came from South Africa in 2012 and attended Hawker College. He did not have a lot of money for post secondary school. He saw on the noticeboard at the school a program that was being provided by SPARK. It was something that he was interested in because he could use his hands. He could then be part of a program that he could afford. It was a 10-week program.
Participants renovated the old Kippax health centre courtyard, which supported Belconnen Community Services, and also a community garden facility at Canberra City Care. The graduates received a certificate II in construction and a white card and an asbestos awareness ticket. Marvellous was one of those graduates.
I know Mrs Kikkert has attended at least one of the graduation programs, and I have as well. It is truly a moving experience to see people who might not have ever thought that they had the chance to get a qualification after completing year 12, through SPARK, getting the chance to get not only a qualification but a chance to work within their own community.
Marvellous got experience within construction sites and he experienced what construction was like. In May, only a few months after the end of the program, he accepted a carpentry apprenticeship with the Australian Training Co, being hosted by J&J Interiors, an Australian training company that does professional interior design and construction. He plans to become a fully licensed carpenter and then builder. The experience and skills that he gained through SPARK training have set Marvellous on a fantastic path. (Time expired.)
Conflict Resolution Service—funding
MRS KIKKERT: My question is to the Minister for Community Services and Social Inclusion. Minister, you recently told ABC Radio that the Conflict Resolution Service has been responding to demands that go far beyond what they are funded for but that you still need to determine if other more appropriate services should receive funding increases instead. Minister, why was the decision made to scale back CRS’s output by half, resulting in extensive waiting lists and clients being turned away, before you knew whether any other service providers are already in place and adequately resourced to meet the needs of those no longer served by CRS?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: Madam Speaker, I would draw your attention to the very lengthy question asked by Mrs Kikkert. However, I am happy to respond to it and to clarify that, of course, the government has not in any way reduced CRS’s funding. The Conflict Resolution Service is continuing to receive more than $630,000 this year
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