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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 10 Hansard (25 September) . . Page.. 3716 ..

MR STANHOPE (continuing):

including an active support model in two group homes, a needs assessment and community linking service, and a new approach for safeguarding the process for the transition of people into, out of and across services.

Mr Speaker, the achievements of the last six months are too numerous to cover in detail in a short time. These are documented in the second progress report. I would nevertheless like briefly to draw members' attention to a number of other initiatives achieved since the first report. These include: establishing a single therapy service for adults and children, now known as Therapy ACT; the development of the disability reform working group work plans for 2003-04 in the areas of housing, work force, quality, legislation, access, eligibility and funding; and the delivery of a series of workshops exploring the implication of the Disability Reform Group's vision and values statements for the future direction of disability in the ACT.

They also include: the development of a departmental information management plan with the Australian Bureau of Statistics; providing assistance in obtaining data for evidence-based planning and policy development; the signing of an agreement to accept a $50,000 digital divide grant from the Chief Minister's Department for people with disabilities; a review of opportunities for improving access to services offered and funded by the department through improved information and referral; and the commencement of work on a comprehensive caring for carers policy.

Mr Speaker, in the last 12 months we have, I believe, made commendable progress with implementing the initiatives outlined in the government's response to the board of inquiry. We are seeing a fundamental shift in our approach to the provision of disability services in the ACT-an approach built on respect for the views of people with disabilities, first and foremost, together with a commitment to community partnership.

Many challenges remain. However, people with disabilities, their families, and carers can be assured that this government will continue to vigorously implement the reforms. I submit that our processes of communication are more than adequate and cannot be justifiably criticised. I also submit that the level of extended community involvement in our strategic planning processes is unprecedented in the ACT government.

Chief Health Officer's report-2000-2002

Paper and statement by minister

MR CORBELL (Minister for Health and Minister for Planning): Mr Speaker, for the information of members, I present the following paper:

ACT Chief Health Officer's Report-2000-2002.

I ask for leave to make a statement in relation to the report.

Leave granted.

MR CORBELL: I am pleased to table the Chief Health Officer's report for 2000-2002. The Chief Health Officer's report is a biennial publication required by legislation under section 10 of the Public Health Act 1997. The report provides information on the health of the ACT population, including: trends in health status; health risk behaviours; the

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