Page 2969 - Week 10 - Thursday, 16 August 1990
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considered that the refuge could be absorbed within this allocation of $4.2m.
In addition, an extra $100,000 was allocated to the Department of Health for youth homelessness as a separate approved new policy.
Mr Speaker, I have a further item which has been taken as evidence by the Public Accounts Committee, and it is a letter from Mr Bernard Collaery, Minister for Housing and Community Services, dated 27 July 1990. That letter reads in part:
I can confirm that a sum of $142,000 was included in the Budget for "an additional domestic violence refuge ... to increase secure short-term accommodation for women ...".
Mr Collaery, would you pay attention? The letter continues:
It is also correct that the sum of $142,000 was part-year effect only and that the full-year effect was estimated to be $238,000.
The letter goes on:
With regard to the lack of a separate appropriation in the Appropriation Bill 1989/90, there was no need for a separate appropriation as any such funds would fall under the Community Services and Health Program. Regardless of whether the funds had been over and above normal ACT Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) funds or not, they would have been included under this appropriation. The need for an "additional" appropriation for this refuge under this program did not arise as it was believed that the funds would come from SAAP.
Mr Speaker, that letter was signed by Mr Collaery, the Minister, who has accused me of deception in this matter. I would ask that he withdraw those comments, which at best are unparliamentary and at worst are a total fabrication.
MR COLLAERY (Minister for Housing and Community Services): Mr Speaker, I believe I have been misrepresented and seek to make an explanation.
MR SPEAKER: Please proceed.
MR COLLAERY: I will table, as soon as a letter is brought down here, my further letter to Ms Follett on this matter, after the files were - - -
Mrs Grassby: He whipped up and got another letter written, did he?
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