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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 1 Hansard (19 February) . . Page.. 172 ..

MR WOOD (continuing):

The government has emphasised a partnership approach with and within the community sector, rather than the previous emphasis on competition. This is in accord with many other jurisdictions which have now taken the view that collaboration is likely to produce greater benefits for the consumers of community services than a competitive approach.

In December 2002, the Chief Minister's Department established an interdepartmental service purchasing working group to develop a whole-of-government approach. The working group is currently drafting the service purchasing policy. Community sector and trade union input will be sought on this draft policy through March and April, in line with our commitments.

It is anticipated that the draft policy will cover all aspects of the funding relationship between government and non-government community sectors, including policy development and planning, contract specification with standard contracts, performance monitoring, contract management and accountability issues.

Given the extent of these reforms, they will need to be phased in. The draft policy will propose a clear and consistent process for funding decisions, to ensure sustainable community service purchasing into the future. Whilst acknowledging the many pressures currently faced by government and community services, this work is continuing and is on schedule.

Petitions-out of order

Mr Wood , pursuant to standing order 83A, presented the following papers:

Petitions which do not conform with the standing orders-

Gungahlin Town Centre-Design change-Mrs Cross (1131 citizens).

Isaacs-Pine tree clearing-Mrs Cross (288 citizens).

Bushfire tragedy-proposed inquiry

MR SMYTH (Leader of the Opposition) (3.42): I move:

That this Assembly calls on the Chief Minister to establish an inquiry under the Inquiries Act 1991 into the recent bushfire tragedy, with the following terms of reference, procedures and timelines:

(1) Terms of reference

(a) to determine the chronology of events, influences and decisions leading up to and during the fires;

(b) evaluate the underlying aspects of bushfires, including sources of ignition, history of weather and fire events;

(c) to evaluate the role of the Bureau of Meteorology and other related agencies in the emergency;

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