Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 5 Hansard (6 May) . . Page.. 1473 ..

MR STANHOPE (continuing):

This Government has no commitment to the teaching profession. Its commitment is to the bottom line, and the bottom line is best served by the employment of lower paid, less experienced teachers. Thus the exhortation of the Minister and the Chief Minister for teachers over the age of 45 to leave the teaching service.

Mr Speaker, the revelation in the budget that the cost of maintaining ACT prisoners in New South Wales gaols will rise by $2.1m in the coming year points to the continuing need for the ACT to establish its own correctional facility. But again, this is another example of the failure of this Government to lead the critical community debate that must occur before decisions are taken about the nature and location of such a facility.

The Government's contribution to this debate has been to say, "We will have a privately built and operated prison". Surely, before we commit to this position, there are some fundamental issues to be addressed. First, determine a sentencing policy. From that, derive an estimate of the likely number and types of prisoners. Then determine the aim and philosophy of the prison itself. What emphasis should be put on rehabilitation and what programs should we put in place to rehabilitate prisoners? How will we treat prisoners with addiction?

Where is the recognition that the prisoners detained today reflect the failings of yesterday - failings 20 or more years ago in family support, failures in addressing deprivation, failures in addressing the health and education of many young people, failures to recognise the needs and place of indigenous people in our society? Where is the vision in this document that addresses these issues, issues which are critical in determining how we proceed in providing the correctional services the community needs? The Assembly's Justice Committee has done more to engage the debate than has the Government, perhaps by design. The decisions that must be taken will not please everyone, and perhaps the Government is more inclined to let others lead the way.

Mr Speaker, the budget papers also reveal the Government's plan to push on with its proposed changes to the Territory's criminal injuries compensation legislation and slash funding available to compensate victims of crime. This is an initiative driven solely by a determination to cut expenditure, with little thought to the impact it will have on those the scheme should help. It runs counter to the compelling arguments put to the Assembly's Justice Committee.

Mr Speaker, the glaring failure of this Government in its management of public housing in the Territory has been its inability to fairly maintain the stock, not only to the cost of the community as a valuable asset runs down, but often also to those who live in ACT Housing properties. The budget allocates $19.3m to maintenance of existing public housing stock. But the Government still ignores the pensioner in Narrabundah whose age and frailty make it difficult for her to use the bath but whose requests for the relatively simple installation of a replacement shower have gone unheard. Will she be required to move from her home of more than 35 years because the Government will not convert a bath into a shower? This is from an agency of the Government whose Chief Minister and Treasurer maintains that in her budget the need for improved social and community outcomes has not been overlooked.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .