Page 1684 - Week 08 - Thursday, 28 September 1989
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The Mental Services Advisory Committee, which was recently appointed, will also be asked to investigate other options as well as reviewing the Mental Health Act in the ACT. Although Mr Collaery was involved in the consultation process only for a short time, his very strong views on these issues were well and truly taken into account, and I was really disappointed that he would be so critical of the consultative process.
I might add that another area where Mr Collaery's view was taken into account was the improved adult detention arrangements for the psychiatrically ill. As part of the consultative process, the Government has modified its interim budget statement to reflect the concerns of the community and Mr Collaery. The final form of arrangements will be known later, after detailed consultations on the best way to achieve this initiative have been carried out. We will keep you informed as you require. So I think your criticism about the consultation process was unfair.
The women's health service has been extended, as part of Labor's election commitment. I apologise for that, Mr Stefaniak, but it is a Labor commitment and we intend to follow that through. In this proposal, an additional social worker with a vehicle is to be made available for community development work and, in this way, to improve access and equity for women by the provision of an outreach component. The sum of $37,000 has been allocated to that commitment.
Migrant health services have been extended, and the hours of the health care interpreters are to be extended. That will alleviate some of the difficulties experienced by migrants in gaining access to the service. It is further evidence of Labor's commitment to its social justice strategy, about which I think I also heard criticism here by the leader of the Resident Rally party. Again, we are demonstrating that his criticism of our social justice strategy has been entirely unwarranted.
I also heard in various speakers' responses to the budget some criticism about Labor's approach to homeless youth. Ellnor Grassby, I am sure, made it clear that Labor has a strong commitment to providing help to homeless youth, and in the community services and health budget school liaison officers to assist in the prevention of youth homelessness will be employed. That is in response to the Burdekin report on homeless youth. This provision, of course, will work towards providing support for youth in an attempt to help them remain in the school system as well as trying to work through problems before they become homeless. I think that is a progressive measure. In the budget, $100,000 has been allocated to that service.
A new group house has been provided for the intellectually disabled, in line with the direction of the new disability services Act. This initiative will help people with an intellectual disability to live and participate in society
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