Page 114 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 8 April 1992
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I understand that there have been occasions when that has not been the case, although I am not aware that in those circumstances there has been bathing or such intimate contact. I am aware that the carer has from time to time been a male person when an overnight female client has come in. As members would understand and as Mr Humphries would certainly understand, particularly if there is urgent respite care, sometimes the actual client load will not be the expected client load because of the arrival of someone who has to be cared for short term.
Yes, I am aware that this is an issue of concern. The practice is that we have gender appropriate carers. From time to time I have been aware that there has been a male carer with a female in care. The issue that Mr Humphries raises in relation to bathing or intimate contact I will have investigated, and I will report more fully to him at an appropriate time.
Waste Watch Hotline
MR STEVENSON: My question is addressed to the Chief Minister and concerns the waste watch hotline that was set up early in March. I commend the Minister for implementing a system to allow Canberrans a greater involvement in government, particularly one that can result in cost savings and efficiency. Could the Chief Minister provide me with the following details: Approximately how many phone calls have been received; as a result of these phone calls have any areas been identified where economies can be made; and have any changes yet been implemented?
MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, I thank Mr Stevenson for the question and I also thank him for giving me some forewarning of the detail of it. Since the waste watch hotline commenced on 11 March, some 129 calls had been received up until 7 April, yesterday. So, obviously, members of the community appreciate the service and are very keen, as is the Government, to eliminate waste and duplication and to advise where they see that occurring.
The calls have covered a very wide range of issues. The main areas that we have heard about so far concern recycling, housing, public transport, the maintenance levels of roads, footpaths and parks and so on, and, of course, staffing matters. Madam Speaker, in every instance where we are advised of the name and address of the caller, the caller will receive a reply. Nevertheless, in every instance of a call, the report is investigated. In fact, I see every day the outcome of that day's calls.
It is too early to judge at the moment what might be the magnitude of change that would result from our having the hotline, but it is very clear that it is providing a useful service and a useful indicator of where the community sees waste occurring. The waste watch hotline reports will be put to budget Cabinet and I expect that, if there are areas where Ministers especially can identify that efficiencies can be made as a result of those reports, they will look to do that in the budget context.
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