Page 5550 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 17 November 2010
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The translation from the old scale to the new scale has reduced the number of levels, resulting in some carers experiencing marginal increases while others have received a significant uplift. The increase in subsidies was accompanied by changes to the guidelines covering contingency payments, and a number of items previously claimed through contingencies are now covered through the increased subsidy payments.
These increases reduce red tape for items such as sports activities, after-school tutoring and occasional trips to the GP, and significant or one-off payments such as school fees or ongoing medical and specialist costs are still accessible through the contingency scheme. But I would repeat what I said yesterday. If there are concerns that you know of, make contact with the department.
Waste—management
MR CORBELL: Yesterday in question time Ms Hunter asked me a question as to whether or not the government had used the commercial sector waste reduction work undertaken by the conservation council, funded by the ACT government and launched by me as the minister last year. The answer to Ms Hunter’s question is that the government provided an environment grant of $25,618 in 2008-09 to the Conservation Council of the ACT Region for the project “ACTNow: reduce, reuse, recycle”.
The conservation council provided its project completion and evaluation report for this project on 25 September last year. The council’s project evaluation concluded that the ACT government’s programs in this area were now best placed to achieve lasting results. The council’s project has complemented the work of the ACT government through its ACTSmart business and office programs in relation to recycling and waste reduction in the commercial sector.
The project provided the initial groundwork for the engagement of Bailey’s Corner in the ACTSmart business program. The project made useful contact with a number of other businesses, which are now being pursued to sign up to ACTSmart programs. The project’s work in focusing on waste management and recycling at some major community events, such as Corinbank and the National Folk Festival, has contributed practical experience to the development of refined approaches that will yield better recycling and reduced waste results at such events in future. The government appreciates the contribution of the council in relation to these matters.
Papers
Alexander Maconochie Centre—needle exchange program
MS BRESNAN (Brindabella), by leave: I present the following paper:
Implementing a Needle and Syringe Program in the Alexander Maconochie Centre—Summary of responses to discussion paper, prepared by Amanda Bresnan, ACT Greens MLA, dated November 2010.
I seek leave to make a brief statement.
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