Page 1072 - Week 04 - Thursday, 29 March 1990
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the final design and siting and plans are able to be approved very quickly once the community consultation has been completed.
As we all know, when you get funds from the Commonwealth or any other government there is usually a time limit. Therefore, it is important to make sure that that organisation does not find those funds disappearing back into the black hole on the top of the hill.
The Government and I strongly support this sort of project and proposal. We are ensuring that work commences and that procedures and processes are followed correctly so that there will be no delay in bringing this project on stream and so that bricks and mortar can start appearing on the ground as soon as final approval is given.
That just gives you one example of how this Alliance Government is prepared to put its policies into effect. Certainly the application was made prior to the Alliance Government taking its position, but what we are doing is ensuring that this proposal, once agreed to, is processed with all speed.
The other comment I wish to make is in relation to the taxi rebate system for elderly people. I received some advice - and I know I raised this issue with Mr Berry last year when he was the Minister for Health - about the possibility that some people who are currently availing themselves of this facility may be fully able to look after themselves in this area. Because the list has been closed, it is effectively reducing the number of people who really are in need and who are able to avail themselves of that facility. I trust that my colleague Mr Duby will take this on board with a view to maybe looking at that issue so that the funds that have been allocated for this important aspect are properly and effectively utilised. In this way those who really need assistance will get it, as opposed to those who could possibly look after themselves in this area. I know it is difficult, but I think it is something that we have to look at very carefully.
I want to address some of the planning issues that relate to this report and the Government's response. If we look at the Government's response to the committee's report we will see that the Government agrees with the recommendations of the report on the planning side. It agrees without any qualifications with all but two of those recommendations. One of them, which is recommendation No. 16, is agreed in principle; with the other one the concept is agreed to. It falls within the realm of my colleague Mr Collaery, as the Minister for Housing and Community Services. I am sure that he will be looking at that issue - that is, that the Housing Trust should build units with at least two bedrooms. I think the days of single bedroom units for the aged are gone because, as we all know, the aged have relatives; many have grandchildren and I think it is appropriate for them to be able to entertain their relatives.
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