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In considering the Auditor-General's report, the Public Accounts Committee raised a number of concerns, to which the former Chief Minister responded on 13 September 1994. Subsequently, the Public Accounts Committee's report on the review of the Auditor-General's report was tabled on 10 November 1994. It provides a comprehensive coverage of the issues and makes two recommendations and two requests. The Government has noted these recommendations and requests and is currently taking action to implement, on a trial basis, the Auditor-General's recommendation in relation to risk-based auditing of licensee returns. The Government has decided that the Auditor-General's proposal for detecting illegal gaming machines is not cost-effective in the absence of any indication that a serious problem exists. The committee's requests for information dealing with the development of performance indicators and amendments to the Gaming Machine Act have been responded to by advising the expected timetable for the implementation of performance indicators and tax legislation amendments.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR MATERNITY SERVICES

Paper

MRS CARNELL (Chief Minister and Minister for Health and Community Care) (3.14): Mr Speaker, for the information of members, I present the Strategic Framework for Maternity Services in the ACT for 1995-98. I move:

That the Assembly takes note of the paper.

Mr Speaker, I have just presented the Strategic Framework for Maternity Services in the ACT 1995-98. The strategic framework provides a context within which change in maternity services can begin to be implemented over the next three years. The framework has been developed from the recommendations of the ACT maternity services review. This review was released in 1993 following consultation with consumers, community agencies, support groups and health professionals. These groups and agencies have been committed to developing a plan which focuses on the needs of women and their families in the ACT community and acknowledges the expertise, professional role and responsibility of service providers.

The underlying principles of the framework are that women must be the focus of maternity care; that women should be able to feel that they are in control, that they are able to make decisions about their care and their child's care that are based on their needs, having fully discussed matters with the health professionals involved; that maternity services must be equitable and accessible to all and based primarily on community locations; that care should be appropriate to the needs of the woman and her child; that women must be actively involved in the monitoring and planning of maternity services to ensure that these services are responsive to the needs of the community; and that care should be effective and resources used efficiently.

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