Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 7 Hansard (24 June) . . Page.. 2024 ..

MS TUCKER (6.26): I will be reasonably brief, Mr Speaker, and just make some general comments. I have to say that, over the 21/2 years that we have been here, I have not seen a huge improvement in the health situation and the management of health. We have had a lot of fanfare around the purchaser-provider model; but at this stage we still seem to be in a stage of transition, if you like. I am not sure that it is leading to better outcomes at this point or to improved transparency. Again, there has been very little change in terms of refocusing the health system away from a sickness system and towards a health promotion system and a holistic approach to health. I do not think this Government has sufficiently made the links between, say, health and the environment, health and unemployment, the implications of heavy dependence on the road system and health, environmental degradation and health, and so on. That is probably going to be a long time coming; but it is one of the things the Greens will continue to push for.

In mental health services, we have seen a small increase in community-based care; but, again, I am concerned that this is not adequate. The percentage in the budget that is spent in the community sector compared to the hospital sector is still quite small. I hope to see an increase in that. Obviously, deinstitutionalisation needs to be accompanied by appropriate resourcing of the community sector if there are going to be appropriate services and support for people with a mental illness.

In disability services, I would commend the Government on its plans. We are seeing plans and strategies. I believe that they have come out of the work of the Social Policy Committee, to some degree, and the health care complaints report as well. Both of these reports are basically saying the same thing. I am seeing the comments from these reports acknowledged by the Government in its current strategic plan for disability services. We will be watching with interest to see how this actually transpires in terms of services for people with a disability. I think they have taken on a challenge. The rhetoric is good, the plans are good, and in them is acknowledgment of the issues that have come up in every inquiry that has looked at these issues. So, I really hope that it will lead to changes in the reality for those people who have a disability.

For services for children and adolescents with a disability, we were pleased to see $50,000 extra, although I see that this money has basically come from within the home and community care budget, so it is not new money. I am glad to see that the Government, after pressure from the Greens and other members here, maintained the programs for adolescents with a disability, which seemed to be in doubt at one point.

In relation to maternity services, it is interesting to see the increase. Mrs Carnell claims an increase of about 37 per cent. But we have to acknowledge the fact that the majority of women still do not have access to the community midwife program in the ACT, despite the fact that it is very good value for money. So, we hope that we will see this increase continue, and at a greater rate. We have not yet seen the maternity information and resource centre, which was due in 1995, although Mrs Carnell assures us that it is on the way - belatedly, on the way. We are glad to see the money for the Volunteer Centre to support the work of volunteers in the ACT.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .