Page 2506 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 17 June 2009
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The ACT Government has also allocated $500,000 to review the adequacy of wages and conditions provided by community service organisations and develop policy options that work towards a more sustainable sector. This funding will also be used to provide an improved industrial relations environment for non-government organisations in the territory. The ACT government has three-year funding cycles for the community sector in order to provide them with security and the ability to plan into the future. The government will continue to work together with the community sector to address issues of sector sustainability within the dialogue model articulated in the social compact.
I congratulate my colleague Ms Mary Porter for her continuing deep and abiding interest in, and indeed her lifelong association with, the community sector—an association which continues here in the Assembly and represents a particular commitment to the Canberra community.
MS BURCH (Brindabella) (5.09): I thank Ms Porter for bringing this motion to the Assembly. This motion not only recognises the benefits of the ACT social compact but also supports the federal government in developing and implementing a national social compact.
The ACT social compact came into effect in 2004 and it was driven by the vision of this government of the ACT being a place where all people reach their potential, make a contribution and share the benefits of our community. The ACT social compact recognises that the best way to achieve such a community is for the government and the community organisations to work in partnership.
The social compact provides a framework for the community sector and the ACT government to work together through a series of principles of good communication and partnerships. Through the compact, the ACT government has been effectively managing relationships with the not-for-profit sector using the social compact as a guide to facilitate healthy relationships across the sectors. The ACT compact represents a strong and meaningful agreement between the not-for-profit sector and the government and works to deliver the best results to the wider community through enhanced understanding.
The ACT is fortunate to have a large number of committed not-for-profit community organisations, self-help groups, community associations and consumer advocacy groups. These organisations, individually and collectively, work towards a better, more inclusive community. The ACT government recognises the vital role played by the community sector and the significant contribution it makes to the quality of life that we experience here in the ACT. The ACT government’s long-term vision is of an inclusive community that enables all people to participate in and lead purposeful lives; a community that is concerned with a common good as well as the rights and achievements of individuals. All people have opportunities to achieve economic security, social relationships, quality of life and a healthy environment.
The social compact does not stand alone. There are other documents that require the two sectors to work together to achieve optimal outcomes for the community. The
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