Page 3032 - Week 10 - Thursday, 16 August 1990
Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER
1 Constitution Ave
Canberra ACT 2601
Ms R Follett MLA
Chairperson
Public Accounts Committee
ACT Legislative Assembly
1 Constitution Avenue
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Dear Ms Follett
Thank you for your letter of 17 May 1990, concerning the inquiry by the Public Accounts Committee into several specific matters connected with the funding of an additional domestic violence refuge. I apologise for the delay in responding.
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...". 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.
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.
Finally, in relation to the last question of the terms of reference, I am not able to supply you with detailed information. It would appear that although an additional domestic violence refuge was a high priority of the Follett Government and additional funds were sought in the 1989/90 Budget, competing priorities led to a decision during the Budget process that the funds for such a refuge would be sought from SAAP. I am not able to comment on why the Budget papers did not reflect this change.
As the funds were sought from SAAP, this priority of the Follett Government was subsequently included in the 1989/90 SAAP State Plan and with the following of normal SAAP funding processes, an additional domestic violence service was then funded from those submissions received.
I hope that this information is of assistance to the Committee.
Yours sincerely
Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .