Page 953 - Week 04 - Thursday, 7 May 2020

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elder abuse in Australia and overseas. In Canberra, the Older Persons Legal Service reported a substantial increase in calls this year, with elder abuse being the number one reason for people seeking help.

As minister for seniors, I have spoken about the principles supporting this bill in many fora, including the COTA AGM, the launch of the seniors card directory, the National Seniors policy forum, the Retirement Village Association meeting and even at the Alchemy Chorus concert. The overwhelming feedback from the community is, “It’s about time.”

Abuse and neglect is not the care that a vulnerable person should expect from this community. Now, more than ever, as the risks increase, it is time to act. I commend the bill to the Assembly.

Debate (on motion by Mrs Jones) adjourned to the next sitting.

Sitting pattern 2020—amendment to resolution

MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Manager of Government Business, Minister for Advanced Technology and Space Industries, Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Minister for Planning and Land Management, Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Minister for Urban Renewal) (11.38): I move:

That the resolution of the Assembly of 22 August 2019, as amended on 2 April 2020, relating to the sitting pattern for 2020, be amended by inserting the following dates:

Thursday, 21 May 2020

Thursday, 4 June 2020

Thursday, 2 July 2020

Thursday, 23 July 2020

Thursday, 30 July 2020

Thursday, 20 August 2020.

I want to thank the opposition and crossbench for helping to facilitate this government motion. We have worked cooperatively to assist the Assembly to continue undertaking its important functions while being mindful of the current public health emergency.

The good work of Canberrans in helping to flatten the curve is seeing some restrictions eased. With this in mind, this motion allows us to sit for a similar number of sitting days as were scheduled before the emergency, but in a way that is mindful of social distancing and the safety of the attendants and other staff that help this place to run.

The motion is a balanced approach and there is agreement that this ought to be the sitting pattern for the remainder of the Assembly. Madam Speaker, no doubt you and your team, the Clerk and their staff are looking forward to some certainty about future


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