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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 8 Hansard (29 August) . . Page.. 2556 ..

MR MOORE (continuing):

The ACT is on the verge of purchasing additional respite care through the 2000 home and community care program and for the ACT-controlled Burrangiri Centre. As well, negotiations for increases in respite care allocations will be included in the forthcoming purchase contracts process.

As those in this place would know, the major financial responsibility for respite care in the ACT falls to the Commonwealth, and we will continue to strongly lobby our federal counterparts to maximise resources for all ACT citizens affected by disability.

The committee also expressed the need to develop uniform reporting mechanisms for service brokers, social workers, case workers and other service providers to give feedback to government on unmet needs. I am pleased to say that the development of uniform reporting has been a consideration in the review and standardisation of the ACT government's service purchasing contract. From 1 July there is provision within this contract for providers to supply information on new or unmet needs, service gaps and innovations in service delivery.

Not only will such a process help in the day-to-day administration of respite care, it also brings my department closer to its aim of becoming a knowledge-based organisation that uses evidence and information to best effect in the planning, purchasing and delivery of services. We also acknowledge the crucial need to consult with stakeholders, and to take our information out into the community and share it with our customers.

Two advisory committees have been established during this government's current term for community consultation purposes. The Aged Health Care Advisory Committee and the Disability Advisory Committee both represent the relevant stakeholders, and provide government with a quantitative understanding of the breadth of carer needs.

The ACT Office of Commonwealth Health and Aged Care has also recently reinstated the Aged Care Program Advisory Committee. At this committee's initial 2000 meeting, it was recommended that its membership include consumer groups representing the aged, as well as the Carers Association of the ACT and the older persons mental health team. I think you will agree, Mr Speaker, that this is strong evidence of the robust respite care consultative networks we have in place here in the ACT.

As I have said, the report contains 21 recommendations to which this government has responded, and it is not my intention to detail each response at this juncture. Many issues surrounding the provision of respite care have been covered by the committee, including dementia care, young carers, assessment and training and skill development. The government's response to each recommendation is thorough, considered and informed.

Over the course of the committee's inquiry, the Department of Health and Community Care and the Department of Education and Community Services have been addressing the increasing demand for respite care. I am confident we are on the right track with respite care provision and that the best quality outcomes for those providing and requiring care are being pursued.

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