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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 9 Hansard (27 August) . . Page.. 3234 ..
MR CORNWELL (continuing):
been in negotiation for some time. Naturally I was impressed. However, I obtained a copy of Mr Corbell's media release. I'm sorry, we're back to the old square again-in principle.
Mrs Dunne: In-principle agreement. How long has this been going on-31/2 years?
MR CORNWELL: At least. Once again, we're determining, we're initiating, we're having pilot programs, we're agreeing in principle-nothing definite. Nothing has been brought forward that we could possibly say is a tangible move on what is an existing crisis in aged care in this city, and which will be an escalating crisis as time goes by. We have already waited, years in some cases, for these facilities to come online. They still haven't come online. It's only reasonable that, as our population is ageing, the demand will increase, while this Labor government does nothing to solve the problem, except, as I say, have in-principle agreements, have arrangements to determine applications, to initiate work looking for sites and new pilot programs. This is simply not acceptable.
I am disappointed that it looks as though Mr Corbell's amendment is going to be supported by the Greens and the Democrats I have no comment to make on their input. Ms Tucker did criticise Mr Corbell and me for a lack of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander reference in these aged-care facilities. All I can say in response, Ms Tucker, is that I don't discriminate.
Therefore, I would simply remind the Greens and the Democrats that those who support this Labor government will have to live as well with the consequences of the inaction of the Labor Party in doing nothing in this crisis of aged-care accommodation. I repeat: it can only escalate as the number of our aged people increase. I can assure you that this side of the house will be unrelenting in our determination to see that you people fulfil the responsibilities of any government in relation to the aged, vulnerable people of this community.
Question put:
That Mr Corbell's amendment, as amended, be agreed to.
The Assembly voted-
Ayes 10 Noes 7 Mr Berry Ms MacDonald Mrs Burke Mr Smyth Mr Corbell Mr Quinlan Mr Cornwell Mr Stefaniak Ms Dundas Mr Stanhope Mrs Cross Ms Gallagher Ms Tucker Mrs Dunne Mr Hargreaves Mr Wood Mr Pratt
Mr Corbell's amendment, as amended, agreed to.
Question put:
That the motion, as amended, be agreed to.
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