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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1995 Week 10 Hansard (5 December) . . Page.. 2650 ..

MRS CARNELL (continuing):

This will certainly expand the range and type of services that are currently available to people with mental health problems. The house may, for example, serve as a short-term alternative to hospital-based treatment. It could also allow an individual to spend some time in an environment away from their home, in the company of trained support workers, particularly when that person is stressed or feeling very lonely. I would point out, too, that members of Mr I'Anson's family have been involved in the development of the friendship house to continue the work that Warren undertook while he was an active member of the mental health support network.

Mr Berry: How much money?

MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, this is a positive step forward that has emerged as part of discussions between the mental health community and the Government, but I hasten to add that it is but one service and it is not the answer to all of our problems in the provision of mental health. In coming months the operation of the crisis team will be reviewed and the Social Policy Committee, I understand, will shortly receive the interim report from the Government on the operation of the Mental Health (Treatment and Care) Act for its first six months of action. We are very disappointed that there have been a number of delays in this area.

I think it is disappointing also to hear Mr Berry from the other side of the house carp, "What does it cost? What does it cost?". Yes, there will be a cost. The Government has undertaken to cover the rent of the house and the on-costs of the house and certainly to look at extra support via grants to the Mental Health Foundation for the next financial year to help with extra staff. We believe that this is the appropriate way to go. Warren's death was a tragedy. Everyone in this house accepted that it was a tragedy. What this Government is attempting to do is fill a gap that became very obvious with Warren's very early death. With the community, we are attempting to find a solution inside our budget capacity. I think that is something that should be applauded by this place, not carped at by Mr Berry opposite.

MR WOOD: Mr Speaker, my question, on the matter of school sport and PE, is addressed to Mr Stefaniak. First, will the Minister provide a list of those schools which were already providing the minimum time that is now required for sport and PE? Secondly, following the changes that he has required, what is the advice that he has received about the impact on other programs that schools offer?

MR STEFANIAK: I thank the member for the question. In relation to the first part of it, Mr Speaker, I think probably his colleague Ms McRae would be able to give him the answer, because she has been provided with a list of all the times. She wanted it. She asked for a list of the times various schools spend on sport and PE. If she does not have that information, I am happy to provide it for Mr Wood. As Mr Wood would know,

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