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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 7 Hansard (22 September) . . Page.. 2029 ..

MR MOORE (continuing):

I understand that several proposals were sent from ACT NGOs to the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth has not formally advised the ACT of the number or nature of these proposals. However, in August this year the Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services wrote to the Department of Health and Community Care seeking our views on an ACT project that was being considered for funding. The ACT had no part in the selection or recommendation process, and the final decision on the funding was in fact the Prime Minister's. The ACT gave its support for the project, which we understand was recommended by the expert reference group. However, the project was not funded.

The proposal was targeted at primary and secondary students to provide significant members of the community with skills and knowledge that are critical to the prevention and reduction of drug use by young people. It can only be assumed that this type of work was not considered of sufficient importance to the Prime Minister. It should also be noted that as early as June this year the department held a meeting with a drug-related non-government organisation in the ACT to inform them of the possibility of community partnerships funding and to discuss priorities. I hardly think that this approach is indicative of a government that is not committed to obtaining funding for ACT organisations from all possible sources. We are committed to that.

I have been advised that the Commonwealth is considering a second round of allocations under the community partnerships initiative, so there may yet be another chance for the ACT. Mr Stanhope, as I indicated to you, we have had information in the last 24 hours that we can put these funds together.

Mr Stanhope: Over how many years, Minister?

MR MOORE: This is a discussion that has been ongoing with Dr Wooldridge from the first week I was appointed Minister.

Mr Stanhope: We will just check that caretaker convention.

MR MOORE: Can I just respond to your comment about the caretaker period, Mr Stanhope? It is interesting to me. I have not made any public comments about the Federal election. I do not intend to make any public comments about my position on the Federal election. That has been my position pretty consistently since I was first elected to this Assembly. But leading into this election, Mr Stanhope, the Labor and Liberal parties have made many promises about what they would do. That is what I am saying to you. This is an indication of what would happen under those circumstances. It is not a decision that the money is now out - - -

Mr Stanhope: This is now a decision if he is re-elected? Is that what we are talking about?

MR MOORE: That is what I said to you. I also said to you - - -

Mr Stanhope: We will check the Hansard on that, Minister. You said that the funding was now forthcoming in the caretaker period.

MR MOORE: I will save you the time because - - -

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