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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 5 Hansard (13 May) . . Page.. 1258 ..

MS REILLY (continuing):

I notice that crisis accommodation will be changing its department yet again. People living in crisis accommodation face a bottleneck in getting public housing. Because there is nowhere else for them to go and because there are so many people on the waiting list for public housing, they cannot leave the crisis accommodation. There is no public housing available - and this is at a time when we are selling off houses across the whole of the ACT.

People looking beyond the gloss of the numerous pretty coloured books for a real response and a strategy for community services in the ACT will not find it in this budget. All they will find is continual uncertainty and continual wondering about how much money will be available to assist those in the community. If they are in public housing waiting to get some maintenance, they will wonder whether the money will flow this year. They will wonder whether the house will be sold from underneath them and they will have to move again. Of course, if they are waiting in rental accommodation, the chances of a new house being available are very slim. This is certainly an interesting budget, but it is for only some people.

MRS LITTLEWOOD (12.15): Mr Speaker, I have sat here for almost two hours today and for some time on Thursday, and I have heard people whinge about sport, I have heard people whinge about health, I have heard people whinge about everything you can possibly think of. In all that time I have not heard one positive comment; nor have I heard any alternative to what this Government is doing or what the Opposition would do if they were in government. They seem to have selective memories, I would suggest, about when they were in government.

Given that there is an election next year, I guess it would have been quite easy for the Chief Minister and Treasurer to have brought down what is termed an election budget. I am sure it must have crossed her mind on some occasions. However, to have brought down a so-called election budget would have been irresponsible and it would have been an insult to the people of Canberra. This budget, however, is about people. It is not only about jobs. It is about the way people live and the way they are affected.

Despite the significant budget restraints, the Government is providing needed additional funding for the ACT health and community care area, including a convalescent unit for the Canberra Hospital.

Ms Reilly: Only if Johnny delivers tonight.

MRS LITTLEWOOD: What would you do?

Mr Berry: Anything to get Mrs Carnell out of trouble - you just throw money at it.

MRS LITTLEWOOD: You have a very short memory, Mr Berry. The community midwives program has been expanded. Home and community care services have been expanded.

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