Page 3714 - Week 12 - Thursday, 22 November 2007

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Institute of Child Protection Studies at the Australian Catholic University to examine children’s experiences of homelessness to inform policy and practice and improve service responses and outcomes for children and families across its service portfolios, including Housing ACT, homelessness services and the Office for Children Youth and Family Services.

The Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services will work with the supported accommodation assistance program and other services to implement responses to the findings of the report throughout 2007-08. Responses will include the development of a toolkit for service delivery staff to provide advice on how to talk to and support children about sensitive and complex issues, including a referral guide to mainstream and specialist children’s services. The toolkit will be developed in collaboration with the Institute of Child Protection Studies and its implementation will be accompanied by a further training and awareness raising program to be provided across departmental and community service agencies.

Recent initiatives established by the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services have increased options for young people, including the establishment of a pilot project through the supported accommodation assistance program innovation and investment fund to provide, exit planning, transitional housing and support to five young people exiting the justice system. These young people may have a mental illness.

Disability ACT has also established an intensive treatment and support program in coordination with Mental Health ACT to provide a range of support services for young people with a dual disability who are at risk of criminally offending or re-offending. Whilst not an accommodation service, intensive treatment and support focuses on increasing consumers’ independence and living skills and strengthening support networks to reduce entry or re-entry into the criminal justice system.

It being 45 minutes after the commencement of Assembly business, the debate was interrupted in accordance with standing order 77.

Motion (by Mr Smyth) put:

That the time allotted to Assembly business be extended by 30 minutes.

The Assembly voted—

Question so resolved in the negative.

Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2007 (No 2)

Debate resumed from 18 October 2007, on motion by Mr Stanhope:

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