Page 2253 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 16 August 2006
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not care about those families with autism because they are not prepared to engage in the debate. They are not prepared to talk about it today. They are not prepared to say what their position is on providing support for children with autism and their families. Where is their policy, Mr Speaker? Where is their commitment to talking about, discussing and supporting this very, very important issue of children and autism?
Indeed, where is the Greens’ commitment on this issue? Where is their preparedness to stand up in this place and put these issues on the record? We have given them the opportunity today. Issues surrounding autism and assistance for children with developmental conditions are on the agenda. This is the matter for discussion today, and where are the Liberal Party and the Greens? They have left the chamber, Mr Speaker. They are not interested in talking about these very, very important issues.
Mrs Dunne: So is Mick Gentleman. Mr Gentleman was not interested either.
MR CORBELL: He is not here because your attempt to shut him down meant that his time ran out without his being able to utter a word. Mr Speaker, to ensure that children are assessed as soon as possible, new processes have also been implemented to ensure that all of the pre-assessment documentation is undertaken before a child is placed on the waiting list. This entails, for example, hearing, cognitive and medical assessments and through this documentation allows for the screening of issues and provides advice to the team on specific areas that need to be observed and assessed.
Mr Speaker, I would like to congratulate Mr Gentleman for putting this issue on the agenda of the Assembly today. He obviously has a commitment to, and cares about, providing services to families and children, especially those children with developmental conditions that would otherwise hinder their ability to participate in our community and to have a healthy, happy and engaging childhood.
But I am deeply disappointed that the Liberal Party and the Greens have decided to boycott this discussion today on some churlish, petty political point when they could have been making a real and meaningful contribution on the issue of supporting and providing for a proper investment in early childhood development. That is what the matter of public important on the notice paper here today is about. It is a real pity that they have chosen not to engage in this debate today. These issues are important to the government. They are important to Labor and we will continue to invest in them.
MS GALLAGHER (Molonglo—Minister for Health, Minister for Disability and Community Services and Minister for Women) (3.51): Like my colleague Mr Corbell, I am very pleased to be able to speak to this matter of public importance today, specifically about the government’s investment in and commitment to early childhood development. I am going to focus my comments largely around the recently established child and family centres.
There is not a better example of our commitment to early childhood development than the creation of the child and family centres. The centres were a flagship commitment of the social plan and they were conceived from our ambition to create a community that supports and protects children and allows them to grow, learn, develop and thrive.
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