Page 3182 - Week 07 - Thursday, 1 July 2010
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
When questions of data were raised in the estimates hearing for health, for education and for corrections, the departments noted the lack of information and a desire for improvement but were vague about how this could be done. I note the work being done by the ACT Demographer, the ABS and the government, led by DHCS, on the improvement of data collection for this area and I call on the government to use this work to improve data collection and collation and thereby give us appropriate tools to measure the government’s programs and policies aimed at closing the gap. I hope to see the improved data reported in annual reports and in future budget papers.
As I noted, I welcome the government’s commitment in the budget to the genealogy study. A lot of local elders have been calling for this to be done so that we can understand the history and culture of our region. However, this does not address the issues of social exclusion that were also identified by the elected body. So I ask the minister to not lose focus on issues such as lower health outcomes and also issues to do with the justice system and engagement in education.
I note in the responses to questions 432 and 729 a seeming inconsistency about the role of the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs concerning programs across government. When I asked if the office would be part of monitoring “understanding the land through the eyes of the Ngunnawal people—a natural resource management program for ACT schools”, the Chief Minister responded that each department is responsible for monitoring and evaluating their respective programs.
However, in his response to Mr Hanson’s question on Close the Gap, the Chief Minister states that the office “is responsible for driving the whole of government effort”. So I ask the Chief Minister to look at what responsibility the office has for driving programs under Close the Gap and what is involved, including looking at the whole range of ATSI-related programs in other departments.
I am also interested in the Chief Minister’s response to questions 653 and 654, particularly the work being undertaken by the Productivity Commission, and I ask that the Chief Minister keep the Assembly informed of the work on expenditure for the Indigenous community as part of mainstream programs and let us know when the information will be released publicly.
The health and wellbeing of our Indigenous residents require attention and a strong commitment from government. That is why, I guess, I was disappointed by the government’s response to recommendation 18 “that the ACT government use the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population projections and data collection project to develop accountability indicators for service delivery, particularly in the areas of health, disability, housing, corrections and education and training”. They have noted the recommendation but this does not show the level of commitment required to improve data collection for our Indigenous community.
I call on the Chief Minister and DHCS to respond to and act on the recommendations of the elected body and to reconsider their position on recommendation 18 of the estimates report. (Second speaking period taken.)
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video