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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 05 Hansard (Tuesday, 4 May 2004) . . Page.. 1741 ..

The budget also includes $22.213 million over four years for the operation of the new subacute facility that is to be opened in 2005-06. The 60-bed facility also includes beds for psychogeriatric patients.

Mr Speaker, this budget provides additional health funding in 2004-05 alone of over $13 million, and more than $8 million from growth funds, to make a total of $21 million, and this does not include capital works.

Over the past three budgets, initiatives funding for health, including growth funds, totals over $117 million.

Disability

The government will commit a further $5.75 million over four years, $1.25 million in the first year, to support people with disabilities in the ACT. The funding will provide direct support to people with disabilities who have unmet needs and assist them to create stronger links to the community.

This government has committed $830,000 over four years, including $200,000 in 2004-05, to support the implementation of the caring for carers policy. The policy seeks to recognise, value and promote the role of the territory’s 43,000 carers, as well as provide timely, accessible and effective support to assist them in their caring role.

A specialist intensive care and treatment program will be established in the territory for young people who have an intellectual disability and a mental dysfunction. This program will target young people between 17 and 25 who may “fall between the cracks” because their disabilities have not been properly supported and who in some cases end up before the ACT courts and in our correctional system. Almost $3.5 million is provided over four years to support this initiative.

Therapy ACT’s autism assessment and support services will be expanded, with the focus on an autism support service that assists families of children newly diagnosed with autism. Funding of $1.63 million has been allocated over four years for this service.

Our people, our community

In our social plan we highlighted our intention to ease the financial pressures facing individuals and families on low incomes. On 11 March 2004, I announced funding of $318,000 for 2003-04 and indexed across the budget and forward estimates for concessions payments for electricity, water and sewerage. This meets the cost of the introduction of full retail contestability and increases in other utility charges.

Mr Speaker, the budget continues this commitment with the introduction of a streamlined energy concession that allows for a concession of up to $189.11 per annum for gas and electricity. This gives our community choice in energy, and removes an inconsistency that has disadvantaged many of our community.

This energy concession will commence on 1 July 2004, with funding of $3.6 million over four years provided for this initiative.

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