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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 9 Hansard (18 November) . . Page.. 2625 ..

MR MOORE (continuing):

Annabelle's is responsible for the day-to-day administration and ensuring that support workers are implementing the individual support plans. This includes linking the support worker with the client and finalising the individual support plan with time, days, et cetera.

Support staff are employed on a casual basis to match specific needs of the clients. This allows flexibility in matching the support workers with the client - for example, gender, geographical areas, hours and days, need requirements and so on. Currently Work Resources Centre Inc. has four males and four females in group supported housing, two supported clients in individual accommodation and a further two clients to be placed in individual accommodation following final assessment by Mental Health Services.

To our knowledge, there is no contractual, financial or any other type of arrangement between Michelle's Nursing Service and Work Resources Centre Inc. There was probably a confusion in names there. There is a working financial arrangement between Work Resources Centre Inc. and Annabelle's Home Services. This is recognised in and has been agreed to in the current purchaser-provider agreement. The financial details of any subcontracting arrangements which Work Resources Centre Inc. may have would be held as commercial-in-confidence.

The existing service contract expires, according to my advice here, in June 1998. I think that might be a typing error; so I will double-check that. Annabelle's, if it wishes, is certainly entitled to make a submission independent of Work Resources Centre Inc. for any future service arrangement. It is a partnership relationship. It is a sensible relationship, which delivers our service in an effective way. The department was aware of it. It is not something that I think we should be concerned about or worried about, provided - and this is the critical issue - that there are good services being delivered to the clients, the people who need support in the Mental Health Services area. One of the changes I seek to make - and I put this up in setting the agenda - is that our services be focused on the client - - -

MR SPEAKER: Excuse me, Mr Minister, but are you giving an answer to a question taken on notice or are you making a ministerial statement?

MR MOORE: No. I am just about finished, Mr Speaker. Mr Rugendyke asked me a question on this yesterday, and I think it is important. My final comment is that, in setting the agenda, I made it very clear that we are interested in client focused work. Sometimes that will be to the disadvantage of a particular interest group; but our prime focus is going to be the client, whether that is a patient or whatever. That is part of the process that has been used here.

MR HARGREAVES: Pursuant to standing order 46, I seek leave to make a personal explanation, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: Proceed.

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