Page 3256 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 21 August 2019
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I cannot provide the precise timing, but every year Canberra Health Services reviews the winter strategy and what happened in the flu season, and works towards the next winter season. They do that in sharing information with other jurisdictions.
MRS DUNNE: Minister, when did you expect the flu season to start this year? Did you have any contingencies for an early start to the flu season?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I had no particular expectations about the start of the flu season myself.
Mr Coe: Yet you said you were surprised.
Ms Stephen-Smith: No, I said it does not provide notice.
MADAM SPEAKER: Members, Mr Hanson has the floor.
Ms Stephen-Smith: I am sorry; it is—
MADAM SPEAKER: Minister, please.
MR HANSON: So rude.
MADAM SPEAKER: To the question.
Legal Aid Commission—domestic violence service
MR HANSON: My question is to the Attorney-General. Yesterday Julie Tongs, the CEO of Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services, made a statement:
… the ACT Labor/Greens Government had moved to deny almost all Aboriginal and working class women and women otherwise from low income households … access to legal advice and assistance when they are seeking to protect themselves and their children from violence.
She continued:
It is inevitable, if the Legal Aid Commission domestic violence service is not maintained, that there will be a dramatic and frightening increase in the number of women and children having no access to legal assistance and protection and who will, as a consequence remain in violent and abusive relationships.
Attorney-General, why are you denying almost all Aboriginal and working class women access to legal advice and assistance by making these cuts?
MS BERRY: I am responding as Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence. I understand the question from Mr Hanson refers to the change in the way the family safety levy will fund services in the ACT, including funding for legal aid. As has been said in this place a number of times, including during estimates, the family safety levy will stop funding legal aid services from next year.
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