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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 10 Hansard (29 August) . . Page.. 3625 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

The focus on women and girls in vocational education and training through the strategy, "Reaching their potential-women and girls in vocational education and training in the ACT 2001-2000", has resulted in an additional 50 places at the Canberra Institute of Technology so that women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds may participate in learning options for women. This is a program targeting women returning to the work force.

A collaborative process across government has worked well in ensuring that we have made progress in addressing women's issues that were identified through a comprehensive consultation process. Implementation of this whole-of-government initiative is being coordinated through the women's policy unit in my department. Each government agency took responsibility for implementing the actions relevant to its portfolio area.

While much was achieved with existing resources, new resources were allocated to a number of key initiatives. New funding has been allocated to provide general counselling services for women, and improved access to female doctors for victims of sexual assault. These initiatives aim to expand women's access to, and choice of, services to improve their wellbeing. Disadvantaged older women's access to information technology is being improved through a number of digital divide initiatives. Older women being discharged from hospital will also benefit from an increase in transition services.

A number of initiatives are being implemented to improve women's representation on boards and committees, such as the ACT women's register. Currently ACT women have the highest level of representation on government boards and committees across Australia, at 46 per cent.

The family violence intervention program is an integrated criminal justice approach, which has received additional funding to help reduce the incidence of domestic violence in the ACT.

These activities are a small example of the achievements for women that are reported in the final implementation report. The ACT Women's Consultative Council has had a key role in overseeing the implementation of the plan. In performing this role, the council acts as a link between women in the ACT community and the government. The achievements listed in the final implementation report have been made in a relatively short time frame, and there remain some challenges ahead.

The collaborative work of all government agencies, and the contribution of the Women's Consultative Council, will ensure that these challenges are addressed. The women's action plan will be reviewed and updated, in partnership with women in the community, taking account of outstanding and emerging issues. This will ensure that the government responds to the diversity of women's needs, and continues to contribute to improving the status of women in the ACT in the next three to five years. I commend the final implementation report of the ACT women's action plan to the Assembly as a demonstration of the government's commitment to, and progress in, improving the status of women in this territory.

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