Page 831 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 9 March 2005
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neighbourhoods. I think if those resources are being applied by the Australian government they ought to think about whether they could provide at least a watching brief in relation to crime that impacts on neighbourhoods where they are focused.
Mr Speaker, I commend this motion to the Assembly and thank all members for their support for this motion.
Motion agreed to.
Adjournment
Motion (by Mr Corbell) proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Disability services
MRS BURKE (Molonglo) (6.00): I wish to continue with and conclude a speech that I started a couple of days ago in this place in reference to implementation of the government response to the recommendations of the report of the board of inquiry into disability services. The high turnover of staff in the sector continues to be a cause for alarm and concern. I am wondering what the minister is doing to address this problem. The inconsistency and levels of care can only be detrimental to the consumers. Of course, it must be said that all must be done to elevate the role of carers and workers on the front line in the disability sector to ensure that potential workers are not dissuaded from working in that sector.
Training was originally highlighted in the Gallop report and continues to be cited by the many parents and consumers of disability services who call my office to voice their ongoing concerns. I note, on a positive note, that an ongoing training calendar has been developed and I really would appreciate the minister’s update on that and I wonder what the status of that is at this time.
I further note that Disability ACT is negotiating or has negotiated with an RTO, a registered training organisation, to deliver the certificate IV course in disability work. The government has made mention of this course due to start in 2005. Again, I am a little unsure as to whether that has happened yet, but, given that we are well into the year now, I would expect and hope that that course has started. I would be pleased to hear how the training is working out for the participants and for the consumers.
I was pleased to note that an access audit has now been completed. It is important to know how we measure up and where we need to do better. On the government’s own admission, it does need to do better; we need to fill the gaps. It is pleasing to note the trial of a disability phone line and I would like to know how this is assisting in referring people to appropriate services.
On the matter of individual support or service packages, ISPs, the feedback I am receiving is that it could be costing the territory far more than pre Gallop and not necessarily delivering better customer service outcomes. Whilst we cannot put a price on human life, if we can use money more wisely we perhaps need to revisit this model of
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