Page 5366 - Week 17 - Thursday, 13 December 1990

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE NON-GOVERNMENT AND

GOVERNMENT SECTORS IN SERVICE DELIVERY, INCLUDING THE

DEVELOPMENT OF STANDARDS AND ACCREDITATION OF AGENCIES

THE ROLE OF THE YOUTH ADVOCATE, THE CHILDRENS SERVICES

COUNCIL AND ITS STANDING COMMITTEE.

IT IS CLEAR THAT THESE ISSUES ARE IMPORTANT AND THAT MANY

PEOPLE HAVE VIEWS THEY WISH TO EXPRESS.

THE CONSULTATION PROCESS I HAVE MENTIONED IS WELL UNDERWAY.

THE FIRST STAGE HAS BEEN COMPLETED. NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENTS

IN EARLY JULY SOUGHT INITIAL COMMENTS FROM THE A.C.T.

COMMUNITY. I HAVE BEEN HEARTENED BY THE QUALITY AND DEPTH OF

MANY OF THE RESPONSES RECEIVED AND CONSIDER THIS AS AN

INDICATION THAT BOTH THE GOVERNMENT SECTOR AND THE COMMUNITY

HAVE MUCH TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS.

MY DEPARTMENT IS CURRENTLY CONSOLIDATING THE SUBMISSIONS WE

HAVE RECEIVED FROM A WIDE RANGE OF COMMUNITY AGENCIES AND

INDIVIDUALS. THE RESPONSES INDICATE CONSENSUS ON SOME

RECOMMENDATIONS, AND THE NEED FOR FURTHER DEBATE ON OTHERS.

SEVERAL CENTRAL RECOMMENDATIONS COINCIDE WITH ACTIONS ALREADY

BEING TAKEN BY MY DEPARTMENT TO IMPROVE THE DELIVERY OF CHILD

WELFARE SERVICES AND THESE I FULLY SUPPORT.