Page 3254 - Week 11 - Thursday, 13 September 1990
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outlays - one of our inheritances - a continuation of the sports loan interest subsidy scheme, and matching arrangements under Commonwealth-State programs and administrative costs. (Extension of time granted)
I have also announced that I intend to press ahead with proposals for the establishment of a sports commission for the ACT. I would be happy to receive suggestions from the sporting community on how we should proceed with this proposal and with improvements in administrative reform in sports administration and financial assistance schemes.
The abolition of the ACT Gaming and Liquor Authority is yet another example of this Government's commitment to the reform of public administration. Accountability and efficiency in the regulation of gaming and liquor will be enhanced by this decision. The budget decision to address the inequitable distribution of the tax burden under the gaming machine tax scales is an indication that we are prepared to make the tough decisions.
The budget, however, does not detail all the reforms which are being advanced within my portfolio. There is a considerable agenda of change under way, which is being achieved by refining policies, making more creative use of existing funds, and continuing a very tough agenda of community consultation. Substantial reforms are being achieved in the delivery of statutory child welfare. We are putting more emphasis on family support programs which help to reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect. We are reducing the emphasis on the institutional care, and I am indebted to the Opposition for its support, or at least its acquiescence, in these initiatives. We are also reducing the emphasis on institutional care and helping community organisations develop a broader range of programs. We are putting greater efforts into developing the skills of our staff.
We have sought preliminary community views on the Callaghan report which reviews substitute care in the ACT. Some of the urgent recommendations of the report are already being implemented, and others will be addressed this financial year. I intend next month to make a more detailed statement to the Assembly on the Government's plans in this area and I truly hope that some bipartisanship can continue in this area. The long overdue response to the review of adoptions in the ACT is being prepared. We are heading towards a more open adoption process, and exposure draft legislation has been approved by Cabinet and is currently being drafted so that the ACT community has an opportunity to contribute to and comment on our plans to radically reform ACT adoption law. There has also been considerable progress in consumer protection in the ACT.
These examples amply demonstrate that our budget cannot be considered in isolation but must be viewed in the broader context of our social justice and overall equity reforms. We are providing the vision, leadership and stability
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