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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 8 Hansard (20 August) . . Page.. 2920 ..

MS GALLAGHER: We are certainly seeing an increase in the number of claims because the nature of the new arrangements means that each report constitutes a claim. So whereas injuries are not necessarily increasing, claims certainly are.

As a Labor government, we see it as a core responsibility to ensure that injured workers are provided with the earliest assistance and rehabilitation by which they can regain their health, return to work, resume their income and earn livelihoods. So I certainly agree with Mr Smyth on that.

Mr Smyth made three points this morning, using the workers compensation scheme as an example. The first was that there has been a calming in premiums; the second was that claims are down; and the third was that under the scheme there is a focus on early intervention and rehabilitation. So, I guess in the end, one out of three, Mr Smyth.

Adopt a Road program

MR CORNWELL: My question is to the Minister for Urban Services. Mr Wood, in response to me, regarding the Adopt a Road program, on 28 July this year you confirmed that public liability insurance negotiations were still taking place. That was a month ago. Minister, has the insurance issue since been resolved? If not, to what extent is City Management making up the shortfall in litter and rubbish collection along the Adopt a Road zones while the Adopt a Road groups are sidelined?

MR WOOD: I do not have current information about whether all issues are concluded. There is a matter where the relevant insurance company is working through issues. I issued you something yesterday-a question on notice. It did not indicate that that had been concluded.

As to picking up rubbish, I say again that, where there appears to be a problem, if rangers and others do not pick it up and react to it, we respond to any calls we get.

MR CORNWELL: Could you find out what the current situation is, Minister?

MR WOOD: Yes.

Public housing tenants

MRS BURKE: Mr Speaker, my question, through you, is to the minister for housing, Mr Wood. Minister, I note in this week's Chronicle that you reject a challenge to join me on a tour of public housing properties. A spokesman from your office said, "Mr Wood has 14 years experience and is well aware of the problems facing public housing, including ageing stock, quality of stock, shortage of housing, and security issues for residents."

Why then, Minister, with all this experience, are you still not satisfactorily addressing personal and property security issues; structural and maintenance issues; drug dealing and prostitution; a minority group of tenants determined to blatantly flout their agreements, causing the majority of good tenants, often elderly tenants, great angst?

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