Page 3949 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 20 September 2017
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In addition to helping people who face disadvantage access Legal Aid, we are investing in a better criminal process. We have committed to establish a drug and alcohol court because we know that the evidence is strong that if we provide the right support services to people with drug and alcohol problems at the right point in their contact with the judicial system we can address these dependencies and, in turn, build more resilient people, families and communities. We are fortunate here in the ACT to have a Chief Justice who was instrumental in establishing the New South Wales Drug Court. As a city-state with a central courts precinct, we can bring all the necessary services together in one location, and that means that the drug and alcohol court will be easier to achieve. Establishing a drug and alcohol court is part of being a progressive city committed to restorative outcomes right across the justice system.
This government is also committed to ensuring that our seniors are able to fully participate and be valued in our community. We have a fair, sustainable and accessible concessions program that targets support to those Canberrans who are most in need. The 2016-17 budget not only contained an increase of funding for the concessions program of $35.1 million over four years but also retargeted the concessions to the most vulnerable.
The government’s concessions review identified that the most vulnerable pensioners, those in private rental accommodation, were receiving less concession support than homeowners. As a result, we redesigned the concession scheme to deliver a single payment, which provides the same level of support, $604 per year, to both homeowners and renters. If the full value of the concession is used in meeting the cost of their electricity bill, then the intention is that this will free up money in their household budget to pay other utility bills. If the full value is not used, the resident can contact their provider for a refund of the balance of the credit.
The concessions review also identified a growing disparity between pensioners eligible for the uncapped rates concession and those covered by the more recent arrangements which cap this at $700 a year. To address this gap over time, the government has frozen the uncapped concession at the level payable in 2015-16 until it is brought into line to ensure equitable access for all Canberrans. The ACTÂ government also offers a rates deferral program for older Canberrans who are on fixed incomes. The program allows eligible residents to defer their rates payments until such time as their property is sold, freeing up more of their income for day-to-day expenses.
Other measures to support and ensure the social inclusion of our seniors include free travel on all ACTION buses during off-peak times for those over the age of 70, free drivers licence and car registration for people with eligible pension concession cards and funding the ACT seniors card scheme, which provides those over the age of 61 who are working no more than 20 hours a week with access to discounts and special offers from hundreds of generous, participating businesses, all building together for an inclusive Canberra. With targeted, accessible and inclusive policies, facilities and programs, we can indeed create a Canberra where everyone belongs, where everyone is valued and where everyone has the opportunity to participate. I reaffirm my commitment across all my portfolios to continuing to build a strong, inclusive, supportive society here in the ACT.
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