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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 07 Hansard (Thursday, 1 July 2004) . . Page.. 3149 ..

with people with disabilities, their families, carers and supporting community organisations.

The documents I table today will outline the actions we have taken in response to the recommendations of the ACT coroner. In the case of Mr Ponting, the coroner found that his death “clearly resulted from the failure of his carers to properly supervise him while he was in his bath”. The coroner proposed a review of a number of work practices in disability houses, including risk management procedures, individual planning processes, management structures, and staff qualification and training.

Our response details the specific measures taken to address the coroner’s five recommendations. In particular, Disability ACT has implemented an expanded risk assessment process and enhancement to the individual plan process to better guide staff working practices in the care and support of clients. This includes the implementation of risk assessment into the review of each individual plan. Disability ACT has also reviewed its management structures, training and supervision. There is now a greater focus on client support.

The coroner found that Mr Summerell’s death following scalding was accidental. He made 10 recommendations and, as with the inquest into the death of Mr Ponting, the majority addressed the need to reform work practices, training and risk management procedures. The government’s response translates into a wide-ranging practical reform of the structure and procedures pertaining to the care and support of clients in disability houses.

As I have noted, since September 2002 the government has substantially reformed disability services. In May 2004 I tabled the third six-monthly progress report on the implementation of the recommendations of the Board of Inquiry into Disability Services. It outlined the raft of changes that have occurred to enable us to better meet our responsibilities. I also released the draft Future Directions for Disability ACT 2004-2008. This document plots the course of action over the next four years to further progress the disability reform process.

The government deeply regrets the death of these two young men. I again express my deepest sympathy to their families and friends.

MRS BURKE (3.32): Mr Speaker, I seek leave to make a short statement.

MR SPEAKER: There is a question now before the House. You can speak to the question that the report be noted.

MRS BURKE: I note that the report has been handed down and that the standard time is three months. I pose a query to the house: were the families informed prior to this being tabled? I am concerned. The customary manner is to inform families. I want clarification on that, Mr Wood. Thank you.

Mr Wood: I understand they were.

MR SPEAKER: Order! Mrs Burke, if you want to speak to the question, that is fine. But Mr Wood will be closing the debate if he—

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