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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 4 Hansard (11 April) . . Page.. 1086 ..

Couples with children who are homeless or at risk of homelessness are also eligible to receive accommodation and support in the event that there are no sole fathers requiring accommodation at that time.

This provision was made to ensure that the service operates at maximum capacity at all times.

4. CANFACS began providing services on 1 February 2002.

5. In 2001-02 the Lone Fathers' Association received $67,926 to manage the men's and children's accommodation service (note this is pro rata funding for seven months) in 2001-02. I am advised that the department also made available an additional $5,000 per year for the Lone Fathers' Association to purchase professional supervision for their staff.

CANFACS have received $41,465 in this financial year (note this is pro rata funding for three months January - March 2002).

6. The tender process was undertaken with full regard to the current procurement guidelines. Panel members were selected with consideration to their expertise, experience and relevance to this process

Let me add by noting the ACT Auditor-General has recently undertaken an examination of the department's tender process. He concluded: "the department has demonstrated sound procurement practice in the face of difficult circumstances. Nothing has come to my attention during the review that causes me to believe there was impropriety of any kind".

Panel members:

Chair - Ms Sue Birtles, Executive Director, Children's, Youth and Family Services, ACT Department of Education and Community Services.

Mr Doug Limbrick, Director, Housing Support Branch, Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services (FACS). Mr Limbrick has over ten years experience in the purchase of refuge services and extensive experience in tendering processes.

Mr Simon Bronitt, senior lecturer in Law at the Australian National University and is also the Chair of ACT Domestic Violence Prevention Council. This council was appointed by the former Minister, Mr Bill Stefaniak MLA.

Mr Tony Carmichael, Manager, Youth and Community Services in the ACT Department of Education and Community Services. Mr Carmichael is responsible for the purchase and delivery of professional accommodation and support services for homeless people in Canberra. He has extensive experience in service purchasing and as a former service provider has many years experience in the provision of accommodation services to people in crisis.

Ms Michele Briggs, Senior Policy Officer in the Criminal Law and Justice Group in the ACT Department of Justice and Community Safety. Ms Briggs is also a member of the ACT Domestic Violence Prevention Council established under the former Government.

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