Page 497 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 28 June 1989
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Opposition and non-Government members of this body that we be given reasonable responses to reasonable requests without any hedging and without the flip response that is often the consequence of questions in the other parliament across the lake. I do not think we need it; I do not think we deserve it; and I think we are entitled and should expect to get reasonable answers to reasonable questions.
MR SPEAKER: I intend to make a statement on question time. There is some misunderstanding in this new forum on the acceptable procedures. Please be assured that it is in my court and I will address it in the Assembly.
SOCIAL WELFARE MINISTERS CONFERENCE
Ministerial Statement and Paper
MR BERRY (Minister for Community Services and Health), by leave: The Social Welfare Ministers Conference took place in Canberra on 9 June 1989, and today I want to advise the Assembly of the outcome of it. It was a meeting of Territory, State and Commonwealth social welfare Ministers, at which we considered the report of the National Inquiry into Homeless Children, the Burdekin report. In particular, we addressed a response to the recommendations of that report, prepared by Territory, State and Commonwealth officials for our consideration.
Firstly, let me briefly describe the findings of the inquiry. The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has taken account of international human rights instruments, in particular the declaration of the rights of the child. The declaration of the rights of the child says children have the right to special protection, to adequate housing, to protection from abuse, neglect and exploitation, and to remain with their families wherever possible.
The commission considers these principles mean governments should guarantee children their rights - through assistance and support to families, and by other means for children who are not living with their families. Commissioner Burdekin would argue this is not the case for Australia's homeless children.
It is impossible to state exactly how many homeless children there are, although the report suggests that the number of homeless young people has been rising and that they are getting younger. This is a matter of concern to all governments.
The reasons why children leave home are complex - some leave to seek work or because they want independence, but many leave because they have no real choice, because of serious abuse, sustained family conflict or complete family breakdown.
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