Page 5612 - Week 17 - Thursday, 5 December 1991
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desirable outcomes for people with disabilities. The 1986 Commonwealth Act also accords proper recognition of individuals' rights and dignities and provides opportunities for the fullest participation in the community.
Assembly members will be aware that we in the ACT have also contributed to the process of reform in the area of people's rights and opportunities, particularly those who may be in some way disadvantaged. Passage of the Community Advocate Act 1991 and the Guardianship and Management of Property Act 1991 and the introduction of human rights and equal opportunity legislation bear testimony to this Government's commitment to the principles of social justice.
In the years since enactment of the 1986 legislation, however, it has also become evident that the lack of a clear delineation of responsibilities between the different levels of government has resulted in overlap and duplication of services. In addition, there are significant groups of individuals for whom no level of government has taken responsibility. In March 1989 the Social Welfare Ministers Conference noted the lack of coordination of disability services across Commonwealth, State and Territory governments. In the following year a Commonwealth-State working party was established to develop a national framework for funding arrangements and the operation of disability services.
Following the Special Premiers Conference of October 1990, the Commonwealth-State disability agreement was developed in the context of an overall framework for improving the workings of the Australian Federation. Following the nine months of Commonwealth-State negotiations and extensive community consultations, the Commonwealth-State disability agreement was signed by each head of government at the 1991 Special Premiers Conference. This set in train a new stage in the evolution of disability services nationwide.
Under the terms of this agreement, which was signed for the Territory by the Chief Minister, Ms Follett, the Commonwealth Government will administer employment and vocational training services for people with disabilities, recognising the Commonwealth's national responsibilities for employment services for the general community and the direct links with the income security system. A combination of support services for people with disabilities will be administered by the States and Territories, recognising their traditional responsibility in this area and the existing infrastructure to continue that responsibility.
Research, development and advocacy will be carried out by both levels of government, and both the Commonwealth and the States and Territories will be involved in cooperative planning. The framework for the provision of services for people with disabilities will be in accordance with the
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