Page 2872 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 29 June 2011
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I should emphasise that this is not just an impression gleaned from the recent estimates inquiry. I am sure the government is aware that the community also has concerns about the government’s commitment to social procurement. Like us, it wants to see more action, and there has been some frustration.
My motion also calls on the Assembly to develop a policy for social procurement and to ensure that wherever possible social enterprises are preferred. I think that the Legislative Assembly is in a good position to implement such a policy and benefit from it. Also, I am sure that all of us, as members of the Assembly, would benefit from such a program occurring here in this building, in the Assembly. I am sure most MLAs know from their own involvement in the community how enriching, how important and how critical to people’s lives these kinds of programs can be.
One thing that I also have highlighted in the motion, and that I do want to specifically mention, is the benefits that government social procurement create in post-school options for people with a disability. We have heard a lot of discussion in this place about the lowering of the school-leaving age, for instance, at Black Mountain school—the concern from parents who are suddenly faced with that issue around what is to happen to the post-school options for their child, and the fact that there are not a lot of those options around. In fact, the number of hours is quite limited as well.
It is still an ongoing issue that we are continuing to focus on. We need to continue to push for a greater increase in those hours. But one way that that can be addressed is by an increase in the sorts of employment opportunities that can be made available, so that we can transition those young people out of places like the Black Mountain school, out of the Woden special school, and into what I believe will be fulfilling and fantastic opportunities for employment. It is not only about employment but also about social engagement—another incredibly important aspect in all of our lives, and it should be something that we make available for all people here in the ACT.
The motion I have introduced today is a fairly specific motion about an issue that can be very broad. There are many aspects to social procurement and indeed to the broader social economy which are important for us to discuss. I hope that with my Green colleagues I can have further conversation with the government and the Canberra Liberals about these issues.
Lastly, I want to emphasise that despite some of the issues raised in this motion, I do believe the government is committed to social procurement. I believe that the government and the relevant agencies are genuine about making a difference in this area. My motion references some of the good work that has been done, such as the establishment of the social procurement hub. This is also feedback we are getting from people out in the community. They appreciate this work having been done. The Greens appreciate it, and we are keen to be supportive in any way we can.
But I think that this motion is required to galvanise the government’s efforts, to address some areas and factors that we think have emerged as problems or issues that need to be addressed. By doing that, we can ensure that the ACT really achieves some fantastic outcomes in this very important area—this issue around social procurement,
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