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Listening to the various groups who spoke to the committee, I was at times appalled by the inadequate support given to them. I was also moved by the dedication of people working in community organisations and as often isolated individuals under stressful conditions. It is estimated that in the ACT there are 25,000 people, or 11 per cent of our population, caring for someone else on a full-time basis, with little support or relief. It is to the shame of this Assembly, past Assemblies and our Federal colleagues that this situation has been allowed to occur. Mrs Carnell has stated a commitment to improve the situation, and the committee awaits with interest her Government’s initiatives.

Many other compelling issues were raised during the briefings presented to the committee. Common themes emerged, including some of the issues I have just raised. Others included the state of services to people with a disability and, in particular, the lack of programs for after school or holidays for adolescents with a disability. The committee will monitor with interest the progress of the disability services development project team. Other issues raised were: Violence in society; child protection; lack of appropriate housing; issues for the aged; concern over coordination in the social policy area; and the absence of comprehensible, accessible information on ACT Government-funded services. The responses of groups regarding consultation also had common themes. Many groups were concerned with the lack of feedback after consultation. This certainly is an issue, and I hope that the Government takes it into account in developing its own consultation strategies.

As an outcome of this initial exploration into the current social policy concerns in the ACT, the committee has decided to focus on the issue of violence in society for the first inquiry, with particular reference to the prevention of violence in schools. This issue has very great significance. Violence of all forms is a problem throughout the community and imposes huge economic and social costs. Prevention requires an understanding of the causes of violence. Obviously, these causes are many and varied, but the earlier they can be identified and addressed the better. I hope that one outcome of this inquiry will be to identify existing programs which promote non-violence in schools and to make recommendations to the Government to encourage the expansion of these programs.

The committee is aware of research and other initiatives that have been taken in the past, including Mr Wood's safe schools task force. Since the change in government, Mr Stefaniak has taken over this initiative, and the committee awaits with interest any outcomes. The committee’s inquiry will complement this work and will assist in raising the profile of this issue. I hope that during this inquiry the committee will be able to adopt some creative methods of consultation to find out the views of as many people as possible. Consultation is an issue in which I, as chair, and, I believe, the rest of the committee have a great interest. At present, a paper on various models of consultation is being prepared. In the ACT, with a relatively small population and well-developed community groups, we have a unique opportunity to develop consultation and participative processes which are appropriate.

Another key issue mentioned in this report is social policy coordination in the ACT. There was particular concern as the social policy branch has gone under the new Administrative Arrangements. Obviously, not only is an intersectoral approach essential in policy formulation and implementation, but a holistic strategy is also required.

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