Further to your letter of 5 September 2002 to me that you had requested your department to examine the feasibility of a proposal by Abbeyfield Disability ACT for a co-operative housing arrangement for young people with disabilities. Could you please advise action to date on the proposal.

As advised in response to your question of 6 May 2003, as part of the 2002/3 Community Housing Funding process, a proposal for construction of a cooperative housing arrangement for people with disabilities, which was submitted by Community Housing Canberra in conjunction with Abbeyfield Disability ACT, $1.1m was approved for funding.

A suitable site has been identified and Abbeyfield Disability submitted an application in August 2003 to the Land Development Authority for a direct grant of land for this project.

In relation to the difference in the electricity rebate and the gas rebate for pensioners:

1. Is it a fact that the electricity rebate and the gas rebate for pensioners is substantially different?

2. What is the annual rebate in each case;

3. Why is there such a financial difference between the electricity and gas rebates;

4. Is action being taken to narrow this financial gap and if so, what action is being taken.

1. Electricity rebates are a component of the ACT Government Concessions Program. A rebate for gas services is independently provided by AGL to pensioners.

2. The annual electricity rebate provided by the ACT Government is $151.35 and the gas rebate provided by AGL is $14 per year.

3. The rebate levels in the ACT Government Concessions Program are historically based and determined by the ACT Government, while AGL are independently responsible for the level of their concessions.