Page 3924 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 25 November 2014
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The petition related to the closure of ACT Education and Training’s early intervention programs at the end of 2014 and requests the Assembly to overturn this decision.
In accordance with Standing Order 100 I provide you with the following response to the petition for presentation to the Assembly:
From 2015 the early intervention programs currently delivered by the Education and Training Directorate will transition to community providers. This will support the intent of the National Disability Insurance Scheme to foster greater choice and control for ACT residents with a developmental delay or disability.
To provide certainty to families and financial security to providers, the National Disability Insurance Agency has conducted an open tender process calling for community providers to replace the existing early intervention programs. The successful tenderers have now been announced and their contracts with the Agency are currently being finalised. They are Noah’s Ark (Victoria), Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Northcott, Easy, SDN Child and Family Services and Autism Spectrum Australian (ASPECT). These organisations have the capacity, experience and interest in providing early intervention services that are evidence-based, child-focused and family-centred.
I understand there has been significant community interest in this matter and a desire for certainty in relation to the provision of services in 2015. The Education and Training Directorate will be working closely with the National Disability Insurance Agency and families in the coming weeks to support their transition to these new services. The Education and Training Directorate will be hosting an open day at the Hedley Beare Centre for Teaching and Learning on 17 November 2014, where families will have an opportunity to interact with the new providers.
Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention.
Environment—Lake Tuggeranong—petition No 11-14 and petition
No 14-14
The response read as follows:
Thank you for forwarding me the e-petition No. 11-14 and petition No. 14-14 lodged by Ms Nicole Lawder MLA and received by the Assembly on 5 August 2014. I understand that the petitions relate to the cleaning up of Lake Tuggeranong and were signed by 3,007 people.
As the Minister for the Environment, I well understand the history of Lake Tuggeranong and am aware that the condition of the Lake has led to the number of signatures on the two petitions. The petitions focus on two points. The first point states that “Lake Tuggeranong has faced annual closures because of outbreaks of blue-green algae, caused by poor quality water. These outbreaks lead to bad smells, health risks for people and animals, and cancelled sporting and community events”.
Lake Tuggeranong was constructed in 1987 and in addition to providing important aesthetic and recreational benefits was established as a settling pond to
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