Page 1158 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 2 April 2019
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MR MILLIGAN: Minister, what actions will you take to ensure that the ACT will have a culturally appropriate residential drug and alcohol facility for Canberra’s Indigenous population?
MS FITZHARRIS: I have already indicated in my previous answer that we have as, a key action from the drug strategy action plan late last year, a residential rehabilitation program. In addition, Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm will have programs that are residential. I believe that Mr Milligan has been briefed on this a number of times. There are very clear views, and in some cases quite divergent views, in the community about which services should be provided at which location. Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm is currently not residential but it is absolutely the government’s intention to have residential programs at the Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm.
It is unlikely to be a residential rehabilitation program, which is a key action item out of the drug strategy action plan. I had understood that Mr Milligan understood the difference between these two roles. I repeat that our absolute intention is for the Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm to have residential programs and we have a clear action item out of the drug strategy action plan for a residential rehabilitation program.
There are differences. One of the differences may be about the location. Indeed, many members have raised whether or not it would be appropriate for a clinically-based rehabilitation program to be located in a remote setting—
Opposition members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Members, please!
MS FITZHARRIS: which goes to the point about people’s interpretations of exactly what services will be provided at which location.
MRS DUNNE: Minister, what is the current governance structure for the Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm? Has Aboriginal participation in the governance structure been wound back or diminished in any way under your supervision of the farm?
MS FITZHARRIS: No, it has not, and I have been absolutely clear—
Mrs Dunne: What is the current governance structure?
MS FITZHARRIS: I would refer members to my previous answer, which was that there will be an advisory group meeting. I would note that this is something I believe the opposition has been briefed on. The organisation conducting the review met with the United Ngunnawal Elders Council two weeks ago, and made it very clear—
Mrs Dunne: A point of order.
MADAM SPEAKER: Resume your seat, minister.
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