Page 954 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 17 June 1992
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Supported Accommodation Assistance Program
MR MOORE: My question is to Mr Connolly, as Minister for Housing and Community Services. My question refers to the 1991-92 additional grants under SAAP, the funding program. I understand that recipients have been informed of their success or otherwise. What services were funded for what type of service, and how much was granted in each case? On what basis were the priorities determined? This is a question of which I gave Mr Connolly some notice.
MR CONNOLLY: I thank Mr Moore for the question and for his request for this information. The basis of priorities was a fairly complex consultative process involving a ministerial advisory committee established in the ACT setting up recommendations; those going to a joint working group of Commonwealth and ACT officials; and, eventually, agreement between the Commonwealth Minister, Peter Staples, and me. The priorities are identified through that process for upgrading existing services, family services, new crisis accommodation services for families and family units, additional outreach workers, a single men's service, additional training and equipment replacement. Rather than taking up more of the valuable question time, I can table, and provide a copy for Mr Moore, a detailed schedule breaking down which groups received what dollars for what purpose. This is, of course, public information; so it is nothing that the groups can complain about for being released. I table that document.
Animal Welfare Legislation
MR WESTENDE: My question without notice is directed to the Minister for the Environment, Mr Wood. Can the Minister explain why he or his office, or a member of his party, Mr David Lamont, has refused to talk to the members of the Circus Federation of Australia in regard to the Animal Welfare Bill 1992? Can the Minister further explain why he or the Government has not consulted other key organisations and business in relation to the Animal Welfare Bill, such as the RSPCA, the Australian Bushmen's Campdraft and Rodeo Association Ltd, the Animal Services Division of the ANU and Bartter Enterprises or, in other words, Parkwood Eggs?
MADAM SPEAKER: Of course, Minister, you are not responsible for Mr Lamont, but you may choose to answer the rest of the question.
MR WOOD: I note that. This is simply a repetition of the debate that we had last night. If you had been in touch with that policy paper that was prepared some time ago under the auspices, in part, of the former Government, you would be aware - and I know that this was said last night - of the very considerable consultation that took place, including, from my memory, clearly, consultation with the Rodeo Association. I believe that to be the case. That report actually did not contain a list of who had been consulted, which is fairly normal in reports; but that does not detract from what was an excellent report. There has been widespread consultation. Mr Westende, you have recently arrived on the political scene and it is reasonable to expect, I suppose, that you are not aware of what has gone on in the past.
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