Page 3613 - Week 08 - Thursday, 18 August 2011
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(18) Who will be conducting the Common Ground feasibility study and what is the expected date of the Government response.
(19) Will any action be taken on homelessness as a result of this study in 2011-12.
(20) How will measures from this report be funded.
(21) Is the Government on track to meet its August 2011 timeframe for the Triple-Bottom-Line assessment of policy proposals framework.
(22) Given that the Minister has noted that this framework will be in pilot for selected policy proposals in 2011-12, how will its performance be assessed.
(23) When will the Government report on its performance.
(24) What is the expected date for full implementation if successful.
Ms Gallagher: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) The criterion for most concessions is the receipt of specific Commonwealth income support cards, such as the Pension Care Card and Health Care Card. A number of health-related concessions have particular medical eligibility criteria. The Senior Spectacles Scheme is available to all ACT Seniors Card holders. Drivers Licence and Motor Vehicle concessions are also available to the unemployed. Secondary Bursary Scheme is available to low income applicants.
(2) Criteria are set in line with the intended outcomes of the policy to which the assistance is attached. The criteria are available at: http://www.concessions.act.gov.au/
On Sunday 31 July 2011 I announced that I would chair a roundtable on emergency relief. The objective of the roundtable will be to hear from those who are assisting these vulnerable people on a daily basis including emergency relief providers, housing providers, regional community services and other organisations that work with families experiencing stress. I have asked that this roundtable consider new approaches to supporting families facing acute cost of living pressures, who may not be eligible for existing concessions schemes and other government support programs. The Roundtable is scheduled for 1 September 2011, and is being coordinated by the Chief Minister and Cabinet Directorate and the Community Services Directorate in conjunction with my office.
(3) Any new initiatives will be considered in the normal budget context, considered against all of the issues competing for Government’s limited resources.
(4) Households most in need will be considered as part of a review of access to concessions being conducted in 2011 2012.
(5) In the 2011-12 Budget, the ACT Government allocated a further $10.3 million over four years to respond to the needs of people with disability. In this allocation an amount of $1.4 million is available to respond to supported accommodation needs. . This will be achieved by:
• Developing an intentional community (see response to Q7 for details)
• Increasing formal assistance to individuals and their families to plan for their future housing, tenancy and support requirements.
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