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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 1 Hansard (18 February) . . Page.. 349 ..

MR MOORE (Minister for Health and Community Care) (4.31), in reply: I thank all members who participated in this debate. Youth suicide is indeed a very important issue. One of the things that I am very proud of is that this document is not just a broad strategy with no implementation process, as members would have seen. Through the strategy, not only do we emphasise the problems but also we outline the actions and further development required and give the specific stakeholders involved a timeline for implementing those things. Some of those things will necessitate some stress in order to achieve them. My colleague Mr Stefaniak spoke very eloquently about how our departments are making sure that we work together in a very effective way. Calvary Hospital, community care organisations, GPs and others are working to assist us in this regard. Anybody who is closely associated with young persons has seen the distress of young people as they carry through, whether they are suffering from depression or they are not meeting the expectations of those around them. Mr Berry drew attention to the fact that on many occasions that would be to do with employment or unemployment. I think that is a particular issue for us.

When the ACT unemployment figures were released last week, this Government was very, very proud of the lowering of the level of unemployment. I think that is something that we deserve to be proud of. I would hope that we will also continue to see an improvement in youth unemployment. Quite clearly, there does have to be an increase in the focus on youth unemployment. I am sure that this Government would be very interested in any positive ideas or positive suggestions coming from other members of the Assembly on those sorts of issues. No doubt, members will have the opportunity to contribute to that when we debate the budget strategy.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Community Safety and Minister Assisting the Treasurer) (4.34): Mr Temporary Deputy Speaker, I move the motion which has been circulated in my name in the chamber, which reads:

That standing order 69 be suspended on 9 March 1999, for the consideration of the Executive business notice relating to the preparation of the budget and its consideration as an order of the day.

The motion which the Chief Minister has given notice of today is attached to the motion which I have just moved and it has been circulated around the chamber. Members have a chance to see that. As has been indicated fairly broadly in this place and elsewhere, that motion will be brought forward for debate under Executive business on 9 March.

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