Page 361 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 23 February 1993
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Tuggeranong Link is partially funded by the ACT Government, along with the Federal Government. Tuggeranong Link coordinates the activities, courses and services of the three neighbourhood houses currently in the Tuggeranong Valley. They concentrate on women who wish to re-enter the paid work force or who choose to remain outside the paid work force. Again, we are talking about choice. These houses provide venues for playgroups, craft and recreational activities, parenting skills development courses, health advancement courses, TAFE outreach courses and employment related courses for women wishing to return to the work force.
I listened to Mr Kaine's comments regarding equality of opportunity for women. I agree that at times some women may be on the back foot when entering the paid work force. One of the most essential elements in increasing women's opportunities in the work force is education, and re-education after being out of the work force for some time. At the Canberra Institute of Technology slightly more than 50 per cent of enrolments are women. This ensures that vocational training for women in the ACT is of a high standard and is reaching just as many women as men. Under the national plan of action for women in TAFE, the ACT institute has allocated $200,000 which will include the establishment of women's officers positions; literacy programs for women in Tuggeranong; pilot implementation of a national project titled, "Gender Inclusive Teaching"; a pilot model of providing support for potentially at risk women from a non-English-speaking background in mainstream courses; a pilot support strategy and workplace communication skills for women with an intellectual disability; and an information program for new female enrolees in non-traditional areas. Again, I am amazed that we are being accused of not offering choice.
The Canberra Institute of Technology also offers special courses called "New opportunities for women", including those for Aboriginal women and women from a non-English-speaking background. A very important area that has been addressed in recent years, particularly by the Follett Labor Government, is the promotion of women in non-traditional areas. These courses at the CIT have a target of 50 per cent of places for women. There is no doubt that this Government has implemented initiatives and programs that continue to support women, both in paid employment and outside it. This Government supports women in education and women from minority groups; women at risk of domestic violence and at risk socially are being supported more and more. This Government will continue to improve the opportunities, support and protection of women in the ACT as I doubt very much the Opposition either in government here or federally would do.
MR HUMPHRIES (4.00): Madam Speaker, I am delighted to join in this matter of public importance and debunk some of the, frankly, stupid things which have been said by some of the speakers opposite. I have to say that, as my colleague Mrs Carnell indicated, perception is very important in this kind of debate. The perception that has been generated and seems to be generated by the Labor Government, not just here but in the Federal arena, is that they are the only party interested in the advancement of the position of women. I must say that, if rhetoric was the only criterion for that title, clearly this Government would be the king pin or the queen pin on the question of the advancement of women.
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