Page 2827 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 29 June 2011
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MS HUNTER: A supplementary.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Ms Hunter.
MS HUNTER: Minister, have you been made aware of concerns from some homelessness agencies that assertive case management is being pushed at the expense of drop-in type services?
MS BURCH: There is a range of responses that are in place to address homelessness. There is first point, there are refuges, there is a whole range of programs that I know the crossbench is well aware of, because they have a strong interest in this area.
There is assertive case management. I know street to home are very proactive in their conversations with rough sleepers, for example, and they go back to say hello. They will go back again and again because oftentimes, with rough sleepers, there are barriers around connection and engagement with offers of help. If you just go once and then turn away, I do not believe that is good enough. To go back again and to try to enhance it, if support is considered active case management, I actually do not have a problem with that. I think that is a good way to go for those programs such as street to home.
Education—playschools
MRS DUNNE: My question is to the Minister for Children and Young People and it relates to the national quality framework and playschools in particular. Minister, there are 22 playschools that cater for three to six-year-olds operating in the ACT that are licensed under the Children and Young People Act. What will your government do to support playschools in the ACT through the implementation of the national quality framework?
MS BURCH: The national quality framework is to provide us a framework that gives our children the best start to life. That is across early childhood education and children’s care services. That could include playgroups, playschools, preschools and childcare centres. This government have a reputation of supporting the sector and will continue to support the sector as we move through these new frameworks.
MR SPEAKER: Mrs Dunne, a supplementary?
MRS DUNNE: Minister, it has been brought to my attention that a playschool was informed by the—
Mr Hargreaves: It is a preamble, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: On the point of order, some members are sneaking a bit of a preamble into a few of their supplementary questions. I remind all members to keep their supplementary questions focused. Mrs Dunne.
MRS DUNNE: Minister, are you aware, as it has been brought to my attention, that a playschool were informed by the licensing authority that they need not worry about the national quality framework as playschools were exempt?
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