Page 1128 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 16 March 2005
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We attended the official launch of LINC on December 2 where we met with Lyn and her assistant Liz, they had many questions regarding Lisa’s needs because of the wheelchair and promised they would work very hard to find a place quickly to meet her needs. So much for words.
I was speaking to Paula Chemello in early February and she told me that she was looking out for properties and would I do the same. Lisa and I did that and on February 19 a place close to the Jamison centre went on the market, we went to see the first exhibition and it was everything I told Lyn it would be ideal, location, wheelchair accessible, paved yard, etc. including grab rails in the bathroom. This was immediately brought to the attention of the CARHAP people early on the Monday morning and to the best of my knowledge no action at all was taken. I know from the agent it immediately proceeded to sale to someone.
I will be forwarding letters to Simon Corbell and John Hargreaves to advise them of the situation and how CORHAP has failed these young disabled people. I trust you will be able to help bring a good outcome. Thank you.
Yours faithfully
Shirley Heycox
Sadly, this is yet another case of a family being let down by the system. Mr Quinlan and other members of the government say that many people ring about their problems. I maintain that Mr Quinlan impugned my good name this afternoon by suggesting that people are not ringing my office. Get my staff to tell you how many people ring, Mr Quinlan. Mr Hargreaves should know because we have dozens of email contacts with his office. Does Mr Hargreaves intend to threaten and intimidate people by saying they should not make their plight public? I hope not; I hope we have not come to that. The emails that people send on to my office suggest that people should not speak publicly. Where else do they go? Indeed, where does the opposition go if they are getting no satisfactory answers, no real and meaningful dialogue from the minister?
I trust that Minister Hargreaves and Minister Corbell will see what they can do to resolve the issue. It is really unfortunate. We must come to grips with the independent support packages. I understand that there are other people in the same predicament. I ask the minister to take this matter seriously and do something, not just sit on his hands, to make sure that people are not being pressured any more than they have to be.
Ice hockey championships
MR SMYTH (Brindabella—Leader of the Opposition) (6.25): I would like to acknowledge the achievements of some very talented local women who have done the ACT and region, and indeed Australia, proud at the recent ice hockey world championships in South Africa. Canberra players dominated the national women’s ice hockey team with six players selected to play in the championships, which took place from 3 March until 9 March this year. Players from the ACT and region were:
• Kirstin Hudson, 28, from Queanbeyan;
• Peta Marks, 25, from Rivett;
• Mindy White, 18, from Jerrabomberra;
• Rylie Padjen, 17, from Melba;
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