Page 1393 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 10 April 2013
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considering how the government could support their expansion into the ACT. You would think that after more than a decade in opposition the Canberra Liberals would have come up with something more substantial.
The community was promised more. In fact members may recall that Carers ACT did ask the three political parties to provide a one-page summary of their election commitments for carers, which was to be reproduced in a document entitled “What carers want”. With Mrs Dunne as the spokesperson then, the Canberra Liberals’ statement to carers said in its opening lines:
We have been working hard over many years to talk with carers and the community sector to understand their needs, and where services to them can be improved. We will release details of our community services policy soon.
“We will release details of our community services policy soon.” We are still waiting, Madam Speaker. In fact the community is still waiting for those policies to come forward.
In contrast, the ACT government took to the election a comprehensive set of policies to support carers and people with disability that responded to areas of need identified in conversations with stakeholders.
Mr Seselja: A point of order.
MADAM SPEAKER: Ms Burch, there is a point of order. Would you take your seat. Mr Seselja.
Mr Seselja: It goes to relevance, Madam Speaker. The motion from Mr Doszpot is specifically about autism and dealing with issues around autism. Ms Burch is talking about all sorts of other important issues but she is not addressing the motion that is before the Assembly today, and I would ask you to ask her to be relevant to the subject.
MS BURCH: On the point of order, if I may—
MADAM SPEAKER: On the point of order.
MS BURCH: the motion does cover the 2012 Canberra Liberals’ election commitments. I am making reference to our election commitments.
MADAM SPEAKER: Thank you, Ms Burch. On the point of order, the standing orders do require members to be relevant, and the motion does refer to a 2012 policy in a particular area. There is some leeway for context, but there have been about three minutes—sorry, could you stop the clock, please. There have been some three to five minutes of context, and I would ask you to come to the subject of the amendment, which is autism month, the significant support provided by the government and your commitment to reporting by May 2013 on these issues. You are addressing the amendment, Ms Burch.
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