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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 14 Hansard (11 December) . . Page.. 5234 ..

MS TUCKER: I wish to comment on this important report. Since the report was tabled and we received the government's response in May 2003 I have watched with interest how the committee's recommendations have been progressed. Last year's budget was disappointing in that it did not implement the good work that was done by the Select Committee on the Status of Women. That committee drew attention to a number of issues. I list as particularly important issues homelessness, poverty, drug and alcohol misuse, mental health issues, disabilities, violence, children, the aged, indigenous and the problems facing women in our community from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

The committee resolved that the needs of isolated women deserve greater focus by government decision makers. Though it is tempting, I will not refer to every important recommendation in this comprehensive report. After examining the government's response to several important recommendations I am left with a number of questions. What has the government done since that report was tabled? I realise that it is a big ask and that the government needs time to implement all the recommendations by such a broad-ranging inquiry. However, some issues should be recognised as crisis or priority issues. One of those issues includes outreach programs for women with mental health problems and substance abuse problems.

I remind members of the comments that were made by representatives from Toora Women Inc in May 2003. They pointed to the current gender breakdown. I would have preferred it if the committee examined gender analysis issues rather than issues relating to women as that is generally accepted as a better practice. We should examine the impact that different policies have on men and women and different groups of men and women in a community. In that way we would be less likely to alienate men who believe that the focus is only on women. If we conducted a gender analysis exercise we would establish that women suffered inequality but in some areas we would establish particular issues relating to men. This notion of gender analysis, which is now well accepted around the world, is the wording that should be used.

Toora Women Inc conducted a gender breakdown analysis of currently funded ACT mental health accommodation. Toora Women's submission revealed that there was total annual spending of $929,000 on men and $190,000 on women-an issue to which we have referred on a number of occasions. It was disappointing to see that that issue was not acknowledged in the last budget. I again raise this issue in the hope that it will be acknowledged as a high priority in the next budget.

Another issue of concern in the community that needs specific attention is the body image issue. The committee recommended that the government investigate the need to expand service delivery responses that provide counselling and support for women with body image problems and eating disorders. The government supported that initiative and said that it was active in providing information and services relating to eating disorders and other issues. It said that it had contributed funds for epidemiological research and the promotion of health. It also said that the Mental Health ACT eating disorders program at Throsby Place was evaluated regularly to identify service gaps.

When did those evaluations occur and what were the results of those evaluations? I am getting feedback to the effect that there are still worrying gaps in services for this group of young women and, increasingly, for young men. The feedback that I am getting

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