Page 3030 - Week 10 - Thursday, 15 September 1994
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policy of leaving the long-term unemployed out in the cold and probably removing this program altogether. The program provides a valuable basis from which the long-term unemployed can re-enter the work force; it complements the Federal Government's programs in this area; and it works.
The provision of employer supported child-care facilities for ACT government employees will assist in reducing the financial and emotional pressure on families. In education, the Government is providing funding for a pilot program aimed at improving literacy and numeracy in primary schools. Funding to provide services to enhance the rights of victims of crime is being established to provide for the often forgotten needs of those victims. The establishment of a psychiatric liaison team will provide for the assessment and discharge planning of psychiatric patients at Calvary Hospital. The enhancement of the supported accommodation assistance program will increase the current focus of the program, including specific support for children accompanying mothers. The development of a strategic plan by CIT, in response to the national strategy for people with disabilities in TAFE - - -
Mr Moore: On a point of order, Madam Speaker: Relevance is an important part of debates. Getting a list of what the Government has achieved seems to me to be hardly relevant to "the need for the Government to guard against savage budget cuts to essential services and to protect the public sector". I would ask you to remind the member about relevance.
MADAM SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Moore. Proceed, Ms Ellis.
MS ELLIS: I think that, in protecting the public sector, this is incredibly relevant.
In addition, the Government provides grants to community organisations which provide valuable assistance to specific disadvantaged groups in the Territory. Madam Speaker, I could go on detailing the social justice programs that have been provided by this Government.
Mr Moore: But it would not be relevant to the question in front of us.
Mr Cornwell: And it would probably be recycled, like the men's shelter.
MS ELLIS: Sometimes we need to repeat these things to get through to people like you, Mr Cornwell.
Those social justice programs are vital to good government and quality of life for the ACT community; but those opposite would slash them the moment they got control of the ACT's currently healthy budget. Importantly, the Government has been able to provide these services while returning recurrent budget surpluses. This Government has shown that it can provide valuable social services by increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of government services - that is, better government services, not a reduction in them.
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