Page 1700 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 4 May 2010
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Community Services for a Growing City
Mr Speaker, this Budget provides further support for older Canberrans, the homeless, those with mental illness or a disability, young people in the justice system, children who need care and protection and families in need of assistance.
The Government is providing additional funding of $2.4 million over two years to better support people with profound or severe disabilities. Support of $425,000 over four years is also being provided for families with autistic children.
The Government has honoured its commitment to reduce red tape and minimise administration for carers accessing support. Funding of $424,000 over four years is provided to the Carers Advocacy Service to streamline access to services for carers in the community. This Budget also provides greater access to respite services for older carers, with funding of $1.7 million over four years.
The Government is implementing a working with children and vulnerable people checking system. The ACT will be the first jurisdiction to require people working with children and vulnerable people to be checked for criminal and other offences every three years.
Over four years, $1.8 million is allocated to increase the Energy Concession by $20, raising the maximum household concession to $214.87 per annum. This measure will assist low income and other disadvantaged households meet the increases in the costs of living.
Funding of $2 million over four years further supports implementation of the Sexual Assault Reform Program and the Family Violence Intervention Program. This will enhance the community support available for women and children experiencing violence.
The Government recognises that it is essential to provide children in the care and protection system with a safe home. An additional $5.7 million over four years has been provided to support the increasing number of children who need to be provided with out of home care. In 2009, there were 494 Canberra children in out of home care.
To meet the complex needs of young people in the justice system and ensure their safe care and rehabilitation, the Government has provided additional funding of $7.1 million over four years for the ongoing operations of the Bimberi Youth Detention Centre.
Services for young children and their families are being enhanced, including coordinated services and intensive case management for vulnerable families. The Government is also working with the Commonwealth to implement national reforms in the early learning and childcare sector, with funding of $1.5 million over four years.
Additional funding of $208,000 over four years supports emerging multicultural communities with language grants and activities for young people and refugees, at risk of social isolation.
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