Page 5826 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 7 December 2010
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MR BARR: Members would be aware that there is a considerable distance between this particular project and any blocks that have been sold. There is no danger to those people who have purchased blocks within the Molonglo Valley development. There is a considerable distance between this particular area of contaminated soil and those blocks.
Children and family services
MS HUNTER: My question is to the Minister for Children and Young People and is about the new youth services program and family services program framework. Minister, can you explain why organisations are being asked to make formal submissions to the new draft service delivery framework by 15 December 2010, yet they have also been informed that their feedback will have no impact on the final framework?
MS BURCH: The new framework for families and youth services has been an ongoing discussion with our stakeholders who have been interested in these policy areas for some time. We went through a round of consultation. We had feedback on a number of submissions. That formed the basis of the framework which is out now and will inform the purchasing environment that we go to in the new year.
It is important that we keep the sector informed and abreast of the framework and what we are expecting of them. It will be an active procurement process, so I think it is reasonable that we have a framework out there for them to make comment on, for them to have a view on and certainly provide that information. Any intelligence on how we can best to respond to the sector and to the families and young people that will be impacted by that service is something that is worthy for us to have.
MR SPEAKER: Ms Hunter, a supplementary?
MS HUNTER: Minister, can you provide justification for a tendering process that starts on 4 January and finishes in mid-February? Can you give some justification for the timing, considering that this is the time when people take leave, youth services are swamped over school holiday periods and many people have to put together quite complex partnerships and new models of service delivery?
MS BURCH: The purchasing time line is for early in the new year, but, as I have mentioned, the framework has been out for some time so people are aware of the procurement aims that we are trying to do. I understand that there is or will be an industry briefing for those with an interest in tendering. Certainly, the number of organisations that I have spoken to have raised some challenge of that time of the year. But also, if these services are to be in place by June, we do need some time before June to have that tender process in place.
MS BRESNAN: A supplementary?
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Ms Bresnan.
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