Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 10 Hansard (24 September) . . Page.. 3610 ..

MR STANHOPE (continuing):

discrimination-it is absolutely. Your record in relation to these issues is simply disgraceful.

Mr Stefaniak: Why don't you sit down?

MR STANHOPE: You just asked me a question, Mr Stefaniak, and I am letting you know that your attitude and your response to issues around indigenous disadvantage, reconciliation and discrimination are simply outrageous. I and my Labor colleagues-

Mrs Dunne: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: again the Chief Minister is debating, not answering a question. He is out of order under 118 (b).

MR SPEAKER: Mrs Dunne, the question which was asked was political in nature and I think it invites a political response. I heard Mr Stefaniak asking the Chief Minister something about what was alleged to have been a political stunt. I think that sort of question deserves a political answer.

MR STANHOPE: I will conclude on the point, Mr Speaker, that I and my Labor leader colleagues dealt explicitly with each of these issues. We committed to the actions outlined in the agenda papers. We did certainly draw attention during that meeting to the Commonwealth's abandonment of the health, welfare and wellbeing of Australians by the reduction of funding to the states and territories by a billion dollars-a significant round figure; a billion dollars less funding over the next five years from the Commonwealth in relation to issues of primary health care of Australians. We did deal explicitly with each of the other agenda items and we committed to them.

Disabled people-employment

MS DUNDAS: My question is to the minister for disability. Minister Wood, I understand that, Australia wide, the number of public sector employees who identify as having a disability has dropped from 6 per cent to 3.6 per cent in the last 10 years. Has employment of people with a disability fallen in the ACT public sector?

MR WOOD: I cannot answer that in detail. It is a matter of concern to the government. At various times in recent years, I think when the Liberals were in government and more recently, we have argued quite non-politically when workers have been threatened. I know that recently some of the workers in DUS were likely to find their jobs reallocated and we argued strongly in their defence.

Certainly, in earlier years, Rosemary Follett had a very strong campaign to employ people with a disability. As to the current situation, I simply repeat that I do not know, but it is a good question and I will check the detail for you.

MS DUNDAS: I will look forward to that information if it is available-

MR SPEAKER: That is preamble, Ms Dundas. Come to the question.

MS DUNDAS: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Minister, can you inform the Assembly what programs are in place to encourage the recruitment and retention of people with a disability in the ACT public sector?

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .