Page 3117 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 15 September 1993
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That obviously causes very great pressure on families. For children or young adults that are over the age of 16, the problem becomes substantially worse. Autistic people are not terribly socially well adjusted. Therefore, the idea of putting like with like, which is often done in other areas of disability, does not work with autistic people. Therefore, we have to spend, as a community, a lot of time thinking about what is the best approach for these people.
The problems of employment should not be underestimated and we really must spend time during National Autism Week considering the difficulties that these people are placed under. It is not a terribly common problem, but it is one that, from an ACT perspective, we have to take into account. This is a good opportunity for us all to think of the problems of the parents of the families in these situations and also to express our gratitude to the Autism Association of the ACT.
MR BERRY (Minister for Health, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Sport) (3.33), in reply: I will close the debate. I heard Mrs Carnell say that there were no housing policies for people with autism in the ACT. I met one on the weekend who was living in a group house.
Mrs Carnell: I am not saying that they are not living anywhere. There is just no policy.
MR BERRY: Say what really is going on. People with autism are being looked after in government housing, in group houses, and the Government ought to be applauded for it. That just puts a bit of a negative slant on it, which is not - - -
Mrs Carnell: I am reading straight from the association's briefing paper.
MR BERRY: There are opportunities for group housing. As I say, I met one on the weekend. Anyway, I am pleased that Mrs Carnell has joined the debate on this issue. It is an important week for people in the community who have autism, and I urge members to support this very important motion.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
PUBLIC ACCOUNTS - STANDING COMMITTEE
Report on Review of Auditor-General's Report No. 5 of 1992
MR KAINE (3.34): Madam Speaker, I present report No. 5 of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts entitled "Review of Auditor-General's Report No. 5 of 1992", together with a copy of the extracts of the minutes of proceedings. I move:
That the report be noted.
Members will recall, I am sure, that late last year the Auditor-General produced a report dealing with the form of presentation of government accounts. That report, as is required, was examined by the Public Accounts Committee, and our report today deals with that. I should make the point quite strongly that this report deals with the Government's accounts and reporting up until 1992.
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