Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .
Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 14 Hansard (10 December) . . Page.. 4840 ..
MRS CARNELL (continuing):
It is in our interest and the interest of the people involved to ensure that the model we end up with respects their rights to live as independently as is possible, that they have access to the sorts of services that they need to maintain that independence and that their quality of life is an improvement on the time that they spent in nursing homes. That will be the bottom line for the Government, and we will certainly work to achieve that.
MS TUCKER: My question is also to the Minister of Health and Community Care. It is about the consumer provider arrangements in the disability program. I understand that the Minister is familiar with correspondence to the Department of Community Care from the Legal Aid Office of the ACT advising parents or guardians of people with a disability to hesitate to sign the proposed arrangements until they can be assured that the rights and interests not only of themselves but, probably more importantly, of their disabled family member are resolved in a role which maximises the safety and dignity of the disabled person. Will the Minister give an absolute commitment today that a copy of this important legal advice reaches every parent and guardian concerned?
MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, I understand that there have been ongoing discussions with regard to this agreement between Disability Services and people who will go into one of our disability houses. I can guarantee that there was never, and still is not, absolutely no interest whatsoever from Disability Services in not ensuring that the people involved have the best possible services that they can have. We have been going through a significant reform process in Disability Services over a period of time. I understand that it is a lack of understanding, or maybe a breakdown in communications, that has led to the problem that Ms Tucker speaks about. I must admit that I believed that it had been sorted out, Ms Tucker. I understand that this was a problem a couple of weeks ago but has been sorted out by now.
There are two sides to this issue. People moving into a house and their carers have to understand their part of the agreement and their commitment to the house. Similarly, Disability Services have a commitment to ensure that the people who are moving in are given a level - - -
Ms Tucker: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. My question was: Will the legal advice that has been provided by Legal Aid be forwarded to all parents and guardians who have children in the houses?
MR SPEAKER: I am sure the Chief Minister is coming to responding to that.
MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, I have not seen any legal advice, so it is very hard for me to answer that. I was leading up to what the problem was initially. I have not seen the legal advice, but I am happy to seek advice on that and take the question on notice.
MS TUCKER: I ask a supplementary question. Can I read it out again?
MR SPEAKER: No.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .