Page 3224 - Week 10 - Thursday, 16 September 1993
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I also wish to comment, in the context of cuts to the education sector, about the proposed cuts to non-government schools. Indeed, I congratulate the Government for its announcement on the breaking of the nexus between the Commonwealth and ACT funding of non-government schools. It is simply unacceptable that the government schools sector has continued to bear the brunt of expenditure reductions in education over many years. I also urge the Government to revisit the Berkeley report's recommendations concerning the subsidies which support the transport of students by bus to out of area government schools and non-government schools. In fact, recommendation 8 of the Berkeley report stated:
In any examination of the adjustment of costs for subsidising the transport of children to schools, particularly out of their area or beyond the nearest appropriate non-government school, options for reducing services or the cost of such services to the public purse should be devised.
I believe that greater cost recovery for these services is attainable and should be pursued in future years. I further note the reduction of library grants of $163,000 to non-government schools.
I note that the Chief Minister welcomed the introduction of the voluntary separation scheme, for which the Government has set aside $17m. I would caution the Government, however, to ensure that the cooperation and assistance of the unions is actively sought. I understand that letters have already been sent to public servants promoting the voluntary separation scheme, although the Chief Minister has stated that there has been no targeting of these packages. I also note that notices of dispute have been lodged with the Industrial Relations Commission, requesting the withdrawal of these letters. The Chief Minister has stated that voluntary redundancies and retirement would occur within the scope of existing awards, and I believe that she needs to commence negotiations with the Trades and Labour Council and specific public sector unions at the earliest opportunity.
Mr Temporary Deputy Speaker, having spent some time outlining what I am unhappy about in this year's budget, I would like to spend some time talking about the measures which I believe the Government deserves to be congratulated on. I have spoken often in this chamber on the need to raise awareness in our community of the issues involved in domestic violence, and I am pleased that the Government has undertaken to fund a three-year community awareness program. I am also pleased to see an increase in the funding for child-at-risk assessments. I have also spoken of the need for a men's shelter, and I welcome that initiative. I also support the funding of a halfway house for women experiencing drug- and alcohol-related problems. In meeting the needs of the men and women who will use these facilities we reduce the stress placed on the community services sector as a whole.
I am also pleased that the International Year of the World's Indigenous Peoples has been recognised with the provision of funding for the promotion of the awareness of Aboriginal culture and languages, the provision for three new emergency accommodation houses to be managed by Aboriginal organisations, the establishment of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment team, and the restating of the provisions for the keeping place. These initiatives go some way to recognising Aboriginal Australian culture and heritage, and the present needs of the Aboriginal members of our community.
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