Page 4631 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 19 October 2010

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Emergency Services) (3.48), in reply: I thank the Greens for agreeing to suspend standing orders. I would simply make the observation, in response to some of the comments made by other members just now, that ministers are entitled to add to their statements, if they believe it is necessary and appropriate. I find it quite extraordinary that members believe they can censor ministers in what they say in their ministerial statements.

Ms Burch was addressing matters that related to the subject matter of her ministerial statement and, if ministers choose to do that, they are entirely within their rights to do so. I find it petulant in the extreme that Mrs Dunne, because she has not received the apology in the form that she desires, is simply going to act in this childish and wrecking manner. It is pathetic. It is childish. It is unnecessary. Ministers are entitled to make a statement based on the matters that they have responsibility for, and they are also entitled to add to their statement, if they feel so fit. The provision of a statement in advance to members is a courtesy. It is not a binding obligation on the part of the minister to say no more or no less than that. To suggest otherwise really just amounts to a form of censorship. Nevertheless, I thank those who have indicated their support to suspend standing orders to allow Minister Burch to make her statement.

Question put:

That Mr Corbell’s motion be agreed to.

The Assembly voted—

Ayes 9		Noes 5
Mr Barr	Mr Hargreaves	Mr Doszpot	Mr Seselja
Ms Bresnan	Ms Hunter	Mrs Dunne	Mr Smyth
Ms Burch	Ms Le Couteur	Mr Hanson
Mr Corbell	Mr Rattenbury
Ms Gallagher

Question so resolved in the affirmative, with the concurrence of an absolute majority.

MS BURCH (Brindabella—Minister for Disability, Housing and Community Services, Minister for Children and Young People, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Women) (3.53): I thank the Assembly for allowing me to make a ministerial statement, which I will stick to, to the word. And I will table the statement. The statement I am referring to is Maximising potential: improving life transitions for young people in care.

I would like to inform the Assembly of the work that my department is undertaking to improve the planning and supports that are in place for young people who transition from care to independence, an important milestone in their lives.

The government is committed to improving services and outcomes for children and young people and has particular responsibility for children and young people who are in care placement. They may be in care with a kinship or foster carer, in a residential

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