Page 298 - Week 01 - Thursday, 29 November 2012
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MS BURCH: I thank Ms Porter for her question. The government has committed to deliver a $15 million increase in support for people with a disability, their families and carers. These key initiatives include additional support for school leavers with a disability, a commitment of an extra $5,000 per person annually; $1½ million for a payroll tax concessions for businesses that employ school leavers with a disability; $1.6 million to continue the therapy assistants in schools program; an extra $400,000 for Carers ACT, the peak advocacy group for carers in the ACT, to help carers maintain their personal wellbeing; and an electronic taxi smart card system for people with a disability who rely on taxi services, replacing the existing paper-based system.
The ACT Labor government are committed to supporting people with a disability, their families and carers, and we do this by delivering all of the commitments we made in the most recent election. It is worth noting that that is in stark contrast to other parties in this chamber.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Hanson.
MR HANSON: Minister, how many people with a disability are provided with housing support by the ACT government, and what is the total funding provided by the ACT government for housing support for people with a disability?
MS BURCH: Supported accommodation here in Canberra is provided between the government and the community sector, the non-government sector, and I think in the main it is the non-government sector that provides supported accommodation. There are a number of agencies in town that provide that very useful service. I think we have about 50 properties with about 130 residents in our accommodation, but between our supported accommodation and respite there are over 350 people that are supported in supported accommodation.
Minister for Education and Training—statements
MR DOSZPOT: My question is to the Minister for Education and Training. Minister, on 2CC on 30 September 2010 you stated that “89 is not 100 per cent” and “60 may be a number”. Minister, how do you explain to students in ACT schools that 89 is not 100 per cent?
MS BURCH: I have no faith in Mr Doszpot’s recollection of something I said in 2010, so he can table the full transcript and I will consider that. I have just answered that question. That is a nonsense question.
MADAM SPEAKER: On your answer to the question, I will draw your attention, Minister Burch, to the comments that I made yesterday—that I think you should be very careful when you speak not to impugn people’s honesty.
Ms Burch: On a point of order—
MADAM SPEAKER: No. Let me finish.
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