Page 3539 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 12 October 1994
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That will, in fact, take to $7.1m the total amount available in this financial year for HACC services. The Home Help Service is probably the largest single community based service provider in the HACC network. It is in receipt of in the order of $1.5m per annum and, in fact, has picked up an increase in funds of $28,513 already this year. There has already been an increase this year, as far as their additional funding is concerned.
I am concerned, because I, too, have received a number of representations. I understand that an officer of the Home Help Service wrote to persons on their waiting list, saying that they actually overspent in the last year by some $37,000; and that, because they had that overexpenditure and they did not necessarily get what they had sought in this year's funding round, they would not be able to provide any home help services to a number of people on the waiting list. My department and I have some concern about, firstly, that statement; and, secondly, the ability of the Home Help Service actually to analyse its own internal administration in regard to reassessing the appropriateness of the level of service that it is providing to each of the people who are currently receiving service and whether or not a reorganisation of some of those priorities may allow them to expand the service within the framework that I have already outlined. I have made that offer to the Home Help Service. I am confident that we will be able to identify exactly any additional resources that are needed. That is something that I must do, Mr Stevenson, if I am to provide additional funds to the Home Help Service. Obviously, where that need is identified, you can rest assured that I will be providing additional funds to enable them to conduct their business for the remainder of this financial year.
Government Schools
MR STEFANIAK: My question is directed to the Minister for Education. I refer the Minister to the 1993-94 annual management report of his department, in which it is indicated that the Government expected savings of $3.5m in the government schools program, program 23. I can provide that to the Minister if he does not have a copy. Can the Minister tell the Assembly why the budget for this program has, in fact, blown out by $2.75m in the last financial year?
MR WOOD: Madam Speaker, I will confirm the figures; but I think the clear answer would be that the budget was amended - and some members might remember that.
Education - Liberal Party Policy
MR BERRY: I refer to the horror story described as Mrs Carnell's vision for education in the ACT. I understand why the Liberals are sensitive about this issue, because it is very clear that they are going to be exposed. We had the former Education Minister threatening to close 25 schools.
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