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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 4 Hansard (24 June) . . Page.. 945 ..

MR STEFANIAK (continuing):

other youth centre. Far from it. There are a number of people in the sector who will always have constructive criticism and helpful suggestions. I welcome that. So really, Mr Corbell, I think you are completely off with the fairies on this particular motion. Also, your version of what was told to the department is completely different from what has been suggested to me by my officers, so I really wonder where you are getting that. I think you need to check your facts there a little bit.

Let us look at the facts of the matter, Mr Speaker. Basically, the Civic and Woden youth centres have been offered a funding arrangement for a one-year period to continue the same style and level of service which they have provided in the past and with the same level of funding that they have had in the past. That is not a reduction of funding. The offer is certainly not motivated by another amazing comment you have made, Mr Corbell, and that is to sell off the sites. I will quote from your press release. It said:

"I am also informed that the Government has decided that the land where the Civic and Woden Youth Centres are located should be used for commercial development and this is why they have decided to cut short their funding," Mr Corbell said.

Unbelievable, Mr Corbell! Civic and Woden are two key parts in the ACT in terms of our youth centre structure. This Government is very mindful of the need to ensure that the youth of those areas are adequately and properly provided for. In fact, part of what we are doing here is motivated by improving and expanding the services operated there. Hence the change in terms of these particular youth centres and the fact that they are on 12 months' funding to provide the same service as they do now with a view to additional services and changed services being offered after that. It is about providing for the needs of our youth. That is the key criterion for this Government. That is the absolute, bottom line criterion too, and I do not think any reasonable person can argue with that. For Mr Corbell to say that this is a plan that is also motivated by selling off the land is really just way out of left field.

Mr Speaker, a number of people in the sector have contributed in terms of the various categories that we have come up with for the next few years. A number of people have commented, too, in terms of what they suggest would be best for the needs of youth in relation to this and other issues. That is something that the Government certainly takes notice of. A number of suggestions have been put forward, since we have been returned as the Government, as to how best we can meet the needs of youth for the Woden and Civic areas. Those are things that the Government is very mindful of, and they are really the rationale behind how best we can provide for youth in the region.

The report on service purchasing and its implementation provides stability for the non-government sector through the introduction of three-year contracts for services, but it also provides the opportunity for innovation and for development through the regular review and tendering of those services. It is this innovation and development which I think Mr Corbell seems to be unable to appreciate. Is he really suggesting that the Government should automatically provide three-year contracts to all non-government organisations without taking the opportunity, Mr Speaker, to respond to the needs, and the changing needs that are identified, of people those services are designed to assist?

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