Consultation Process
The Government is committed to consulting with the community as part of the process of formulating the budget. The purpose of this consultative process is to enable the Government to take account of community views in a systematic way when formulating budget strategies, priorities and measures, though the Government welcomes views from the community at all times.
In formulating this budget the Government invited input from the community in the week beginning 18 January 1999 with a closing date for submissions of 28 February 1999. Advertisements appeared in the local press and were supplemented by radio and TV coverage.
In the course of the 1999-2000 Budget consultation, a total of 55 submissions were received from 46 organisations and 9 individuals, and 17 organisations were represented in meetings with the Chief Minister.
The issues raised in budget submissions were referred to relevant agencies for examination, assessment and integration where appropriate into agency budgets. Letters will be sent from the Chief Minister to organisations, groups and individuals advising them of the outcomes of their submissions and thanking them for their participation. Where necessary these letters provide more detailed responses than those contained in this chapter.
This chapter:
- sets out the key issues raised in the consultation process;
- summarises the main points of submissions from key community groups and organisations;
- summarises the main points of the Government’s response to organisations, groups and individuals; and
- provides a complete list of submissions.
Key Issues
Budget Outcome
Few submissions provided comment on broad economic policy or financial management. Of those that did, most supported the Government’s efforts to reduce the ACT’s operating loss and to address the issue of superannuation liability. The Government’s stated vision and outcomes also received general support. Most submissions expressed appreciation for the opportunity to participate in the budget consultation process.
Characteristically, nearly all organisations proposed increased public spending on their particular area of interest, with only a small number of submissions suggesting offsetting savings. Relatively few of these expenditure proposals were costed, but to satisfy all of those that were costed a further $25m would be added to the ACT’s operating loss. This outcome underscores the reluctance that most interest groups appear to have in addressing the impact of their demands on the wider community. Several submissions urged the Government to seek a fairer funding allocation from the Commonwealth.
Business and Employment
There was general recognition of the continuing need for sustainable economic growth and job creation in the ACT. A number of submissions pointed to the need to encourage business by ensuring sound local government policies, low taxes and minimal compliance costs for businesses in the ACT.
Community Support/Welfare Services
A number of submissions called for increased funding for services to assist people in a range of areas, including domestic violence and sexual assault, marriage and family counselling, and child protection. There were also calls for improved programs for people dependent on drugs and alcohol, particularly detoxification and rehabilitation programs.
Education
There was a range of views expressed about education issues. Groups with an interest in non-government schooling advocated greater equity in school funding arrangements, along with increased interest subsidy funding for non-government schools. There was a call for effective early intervention services for children in the early years of schooling who are experiencing behavioural and/or emotional difficulties and for additional support for older students at risk of not completing school.
Environment
A small number of submissions advocated a range of environmental measures, including the imposition of a carbon tax on fossil fuels, increased car registration fees, and examination of environmental degradation in the ACT.
Health and Community Care Services
Several submissions commented on the need to maintain and enhance the quality of health services in the ACT. Several groups recommended a convalescent facility to ease the transition from acute hospital care to home based care, particularly for older people. The need for special assistance for people suffering mental illness was also raised.
Housing
Several submissions urged the Government to maintain the current level and diversity of public housing stock and to increase funding for repairs and maintenance. Special assistance was requested for people with disabilities and for people in crisis.
Summary of submissions and responses
ACT Corrections Health Board
The ACT Corrections Health Board’s overall philosophy is that people in custody are entitled to the same standard of health care as the rest of the community. It recommends that funding for custodial health services should be increased from current levels.
Government Response
The Government accepts the principle that persons in custody should have access to health services at the same standard and availability as accessible by the general community. The Government will provide a further $0.206m for the enhancement of general health services from 1999-2000 for persons within correctional institutions in the ACT. The Government has also agreed to provide an additional $0.300m per annum to increase and improve the delivery of forensic mental health services. This will include the provision of improved access to mental health services for persons detained within the Belconnen Remand Centre and at the Quamby Juvenile Justice Centre.
ACT Council of Social Service Inc
The ACT Council of Social Service Inc (ACTCOSS) believes that the Government’s financial focus has diminished its transparency and accountability. It recommends that the ACT Government conduct a review of revenue and expenditure priorities, focussing especially on the fiscal relationship between the Commonwealth and ACT Government. It also recommends that the Government support a research project on community involvement in allocative issues and explore strategies to engage the ACT community in revenue and expenditure issues.
ACTCOSS believes that improved analysis is necessary to ensure that equity objectives are being delivered to the ACT community. It recommends the establishment of proper mechanisms for monitoring demand for social support services and that the Government take up the recommendations of the Joint ACT Peaks Submission to the ACT Legislative Assembly inquiry into Service Purchasing Arrangements.
ACTCOSS recommends that the Government adopt models and develop strategies which identify the ‘community’, the role of organised associations and the relationship between the community, consumer and government. It believes the community can play a greater role in planning, policy and purchasing direction.
ACTCOSS recommends that the Government recognise the community call for greater specificity in planning, policy and purchasing direction. It believes that the Government’s current three outcomes are inadequate and recommends examining new methods of measuring social equity objectives, along the benchmarking lines of the Productivity Commission. It believes that the documentation of government affairs could be improved and recommends that where policy frameworks directly inform purchasing processes, a purchasing plan should form part of a policy consultation. ACTCOSS emphasises that consultation should be positioned within a coordinated social planning framework.
ACTCOSS recommends that the guiding principles of governance identified by the joint ACTCOSS/ACT Government Quality of Life Project should be adopted and it recommends a staged resourced process of implementation of quality standards for the Non Government Organisation (NGO) service sector in partnership with the community sector. ACTCOSS welcomes the establishment of the Poverty Taskforce and anticipates fruitful discussion of its policy responses.
ACTCOSS requests that the government, business and community sectors work towards strategies to address the issue of Year 2000 compliance. ACTCOSS also recommends that the Office of Asset Management should work with peak organisations to develop a Community Services Facilities Plan.
ACTCOSS believes there is inconsistency of the quantum availability of the Social and Community Services Award supplementation funds. It recommends that the Government reaffirm its commitment to providing this funding where need can be demonstrated and seeks greater clarity regarding entitlements and the basis for them. ACTCOSS wishes to establish a joint working group to examine the likely costs of a GST and to develop strategies for responding to these issues.
ACTCOSS supports the development of a prison in the ACT which focuses on rehabilitation, best practice and community models and which includes community input. Prior to establishment it recommends the development of a Corrective Services Policy Framework and the development of an Indigenous Inmate Plan.
ACTCOSS requests a commitment to an implementation plan for the Employment Blueprint and the appointment of a lead government department to ensure coordination between those agencies conducting job search and training programs. It recommends discussions with the relevant unions about ways in which employment pools can allow further flexibility in public sector employment, and recommends the establishment of a Community Employment Task Force.
ACTCOSS supports the direction indicated in the draft Partnerships for Families and suggests a cross-sectoral approach in analysing the needs of families. It also suggests that there is inadequate analysis of the wide range of needs within the broad definition of family.
ACTCOSS recommends that the interrelationship between services such as child protection and disability support should be examined and welcomes the related Legislative Assembly Inquiry.
ACTCOSS recommends the full disclosure of health expenditure down to the program level for the past three years and a commitment to similar disclosure in subsequent budgets. It recommends that the Government extend the current health quality standards initiatives to ensure the effective inclusion of NGO service providers, and seeks community input into the anticipated mid term review of the Public Health Outcomes Funding Agreement. Where broadbanding does occur, ACTCOSS recommends clear delineation between the different public health funding allocations to programs such as women’s health so that the broadbanding does not lead to a decrease in total public health or program funding. It recommends the development of whole of government co-payments criteria. The examination of present patterns of resource allocation in health and its effect on equity of access should form a key part of the budget management criteria.
ACTCOSS recommends an increased policy advocacy function in housing because of the changes brought about by the purchaser-provider model and recommends the identification of agency responsibility in the provision of social housing and management strategies.
ACTCOSS recommends the adoption of a whole of government approach to the resourcing and development of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
ACTCOSS seeks a specific resource allocation to utilities regulation in the budget.
It recommends that the Government develop projects which are aimed at encouraging corporate sponsorship and support for community agencies. It wishes to explore the opportunities to progress dialogue between consumer and provider organisations.
Government Response
The Government recognises that the annual budget is not an end in itself, but rather is a plan for sustaining and enhancing the quality of life for the community as a whole.
The ACT has long been concerned with the Commonwealth’s failure to pay its own way in Canberra and has worked diligently to address this issue. The Commonwealth Grants Commission’s 1999 Review Report resulted in an increase in Commonwealth funding to the ACT for national capital allowances, but the Commonwealth will not address the outstanding issue of duties, taxes and rates until after the GST arrangements are bedded down.
The Government agrees that there is a need to thoroughly examine and review expenditure and revenue priorities. Avenues for research to further engage the community in discussion of revenue and expenditure will be explored.
The Government utilises a range of data, including ABS data, information gathered via consultation with service providers, clients, other agencies and independent study to develop its needs analysis and analyse the demand for services. It will pursue improvements to these processes within the continued implementation of service purchasing arrangements. The recommendations of the Joint ACT Peaks submission to the Legislative Assembly Standing Committee for the Chief Minister’s Portfolio Inquiry into the Implementation of Service Purchasing will be considered in the context of the Committee’s report, expected later this year. The Government will explore the need for greater clarity in the roles and relationships between areas of the community and their involvement in government decision making.
The Government is moving to incorporate explicit policy directions into contracts. For the 1999-2000 contracting round, specified outputs will as far as possible be related to specific strategies in policy documents. In addition, the draft Family Support Plan which is being developed via a range of consultative processes incorporates these three aspects for 1999-2002.
The Government’s three outcomes were purposely designed to be overarching and to encompass all aspects of government responsibility. Experience has demonstrated the importance of showing the interdependence of outcomes and the necessity for each output to make a contribution to all three outcomes. Each of the outcomes is supported by indicators to measure success. To ensure community expectations are met, the measures will be regularly benchmarked against community surveys, customer feedback, focus groups, ABS statistics and, as suggested by ACTCOSS, relevant indicators from the Productivity Commission.
The Government is committed to the continuous improvement of its documentation, and over recent years the ACT has led other jurisdictions in presenting information on the outputs funded through the budget. Policy development by the Government often involves service providers and consumers in making recommendations on policy directions, including specific strategies and actions, which will then be translated into contracts.
The Government has agreed to work with ACTCOSS in progressing the recommendations of the Quality of Life Project. The directions of the recent Quality Standards Project, undertaken in partnership between purchasing and provider agencies, will provide a framework for the implementation of quality standards for service providers in human and community services.
An audit of community facilities will commence later in the year, and will include the views of the various management groups. Year 2000 readiness for IT systems is an important issue. The Government is unable to provide any financial assistance to businesses or community service providers to address Year 2000 issues, however, the ACT Year 2000 Hotline (1800 11 2000) has been established to assist anyone seeking advice on Year 2000 readiness.
The impact of the Social and Community Services Award on the price of services is being considered in negotiating purchase contracts with non-government providers. The Government notes the suggestion to establish a joint GST working group, however, since the GST is a Commonwealth initiative, ACTCOSS may find it more beneficial to liaise directly with their national affiliate and through Commonwealth working parties and bodies .
The Government shares ACTCOSS’ views about the objectives of a new gaol for the ACT and will vigorously pursue a very strong emphasis on rehabilitation as an essential outcome of a new gaol.
The Resource Employment Blueprint will be used as a basis to develop an Employment Action Strategy that will link business and employment development opportunities to skills development and training in the ACT. Coordination of ACT Government employment programs across agencies will be examined as part of the development of that strategy which will be available at the end of May 1999. The general question of flexible employment arrangements which suit both the changing needs of employers and the more flexible hour requirements of employees are being addressed through initiatives under agency based enterprise agreements. The Employment Services Industry Forum, of which ACTCOSS is a member, provides an opportunity for input into employment issues. An Indigenous Employment Strategy will be developed as an arm of the Employment Action Strategy and three year funding for Indigenous employment programs was allocated in the 1998-99 Budget.
After consultation on, and finalisation of, the Family Support Plan, the Department of Education and Community Services will discuss with other agencies a cross-sectoral, whole of government approach to planning for and supporting ACT families. The Government takes into account in its policy and purchasing directions the correlation between poverty and family support needs.
The Government will take ACTCOSS’ views into account when preparing its responses to the ACT Legislative Assembly inquiries into respite needs of children with disabilities and young adults at risk.
The Department of Health and Community Care does not budget along program lines but rather the Government purchases outputs from departments and authorities. All jurisdictions are currently negotiating the terms of the next Public Health Outcomes Funding Agreement, due to commence in July 1999.
The Government recognises the impact that fees can have on access to services for people with a low income. There is a need, however, to balance any approach with the need to limit over-supply where a free service is provided, so that scarce resources are available to those most in need and to ensure that those who can afford to pay, do so. At a national level the Commonwealth has introduced a target fee collection from Home and Community Care funded services (20% of Home and Community Care funding). While most non-government Home and Community Care funded services in the ACT do charge a nominal fee, they also have discretion to waive the fee where it would impact negatively on access.
The Government notes ACTCOSS’ concern with changes brought by the purchaser-provider model in housing and advises that ACT Shelter is currently funded for the consultation and advocacy role and that Transport and Housing Policy, Urban Services, is the Housing Purchaser.
The Government is supportive of existing diversionary measures aimed at young Indigenous people at risk of involvement in crime. The Government appreciates the efforts of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations in providing support for young offenders that result in non-custodial outcomes. The close links developed between this service and local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities facilitates communication and consultation and hence the success of diversionary strategies. The ACT Government recognises its responsibilities under the National Commitment to Improved Outcomes in the Delivery of Programs and Services for Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islanders. A whole of government strategic approach is proposed to address Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues through the development of an ACT Indigenous Policy and the establishment of an inter-agency committee.
The Government recognises the importance of effective regulation of essential utilities. A major review of the regulatory framework is underway, involving extensive public consultation and requiring Legislative Assembly agreement.
The Government is keen to see the development of corporate partnerships giving sponsorship and support for the community sector agencies and is interested in exploring opportunities to further progress dialogue between consumer organisations and provider agencies.
ACT Equestrian Association Inc
The ACT Equestrian Association Inc (ACTEA) proposes the installation of an all weather equestrian arena at Exhibition Park. It also proposes improvements to Equestrian Park and a master plan for its future development, and suggests that funds should be provided to maintain and develop equestrian trails in the ACT.
Government Response
The proposal for an all weather arena is a sensible one which builds on other initiatives such as the development of a high quality cross country course and showjumping area at Equestrian Park. Any future bid for funding for such a development from EPIC management, which controls the site, will be given careful consideration.
The Government commends ACTEA in the development of a master plan for Equestrian Park. The facility is showing signs of developing into an important sporting venue for Canberra, and a master plan would inform deliberations of any future bids for works funding.
The provision of equestrian trails involves land managed by several groups within the Department of Urban Services. Funding for development and maintenance of equestrian trails is allocated within individual agency budgets according to budget priorities and as needs are identified, and discussions take place between officers of these agencies and ACTEA on a continuing basis as issues are identified.
ACT for Trees
ACT for Trees recommends the development of a proactive tree management strategy so as to limit heavy maintenance and replacement costs in the future. It requests more active government-community partnerships in tree care and would also like to see community-business partnerships develop.
ACT for Trees recommends the adoption of a number of proposals costing a total of some $0.865m. The proposals include: completing and including a Significant Tree Register on the ACT Government Asset Database; encouraging community involvement in caring for trees; providing awards for high standards in tree development and protection; providing information about trees; upgrading street trees in Civic; increasing the power and resources of Local Area Planning Committees (LAPACs); researching the genetics and management of trees; and improving care for new trees.
Government Response
Tree management and protection is the subject of an ongoing public inquiry by the Urban Services Committee and the Government looks forward to receiving the Committee’s recommendations.
ACT for Trees’ submission has been taken into consideration in the Street Tree Replacement Program for 1999-2000. To date, there has been no community involvement in urban areas of the type suggested, although Environment ACT has a Community Liaison group which can coordinate community efforts with trees, and there is already an Urban Landcare and Community Coordinator position. The Government agrees that the Neighbourhood Dispute Resolution Service can be a valuable mechanism for assisting neighbours to resolve disputes over such issues as tree pruning and removal.
The proposal for awards to lessees and developers for their tree development and protection efforts is not able to be supported as this stage, although the Government recognises that some very good work is being done in this area. Provision of a part time coordinator for a "care for a tree" campaign may well be a beneficial action, especially if assisted with private sponsorship.
The issue of the resourcing and powers of LAPACs was discussed at a joint LAPAC/Industry seminar recently. During April 1999 a survey of stakeholders was undertaken to canvass other issues and suggested improvements. The outcomes of both of these consultation processes will form the basis of a report to Government prior to the LAPAC elections scheduled for June/July 1999.
ACT Shelter
ACT Shelter commends the Government on the recently announced Poverty Inquiry and recommends that the inquiry should address housing related poverty issues.
ACT Shelter believes that the ACT Government, in negotiation with the Commonwealth Government through the Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement, should emphasise the concerns raised by ACT Shelter and seek to retrieve some of the lost revenues from this source. It calls on the Government to ensure that the next Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement stipulates that revenues derived from ACT Housing operations should be reinvested into the maintenance and increase of public housing stock and not diverted into consolidated revenue. The ACT Government should increase the maintenance and repairs budget.
ACT Shelter believes that many people, particularly the young, face unacceptable waiting times for accommodation in some areas. It believes that the redevelopment of the inner city has instigated a decline in available properties, and crisis and short term accommodation is often unsuitable. It urges the Government to recognise that low income people have special needs that are not being met by ACT Housing. ACT Shelter welcomes the promise to provide 200 units for aged persons.
As well, ACT Shelter urges ACT Housing to produce a policy and procedures manual for the community, requests that tenants be better informed about the calculation of rebates and believes that ACT Housing should commit to community service obligations and to a strategy for implementation.
ACT Shelter requests increased funding to outreach services within the ACT, especially to the Aboriginal community, and urges the Government to examine strategies that provide support for young people who cannot stay in the family home.
ACT Shelter believes there is a shortage of accommodation for people exiting refuges and Supported Accommodation Assistance Program funded services, and that inner city redevelopment plans, such as MacPherson Court, are contributing to these shortages. ACT Shelter recommends the establishment of a cross-portfolio strategy to address the social and community issues emerging for the clients on these multi-unit complexes. It requests that the Government examine the level and causes of homelessness in the ACT and provide affordable and appropriate exit points from crisis and medium term accommodation.
ACT Shelter calls on the Government to monitor the effect of the tightening of the private rental sector on the demand for public housing. It recommends that information be provided to the community on the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 and calls on ACT Housing to examine strategies to ensure that private renting is possible for eligible clients. ACT Shelter calls on the Government to examine gaps in housing advisory mechanisms and fund community organisations so that they can make a meaningful contribution.
ACT Shelter requests the monitoring of the effects of the GST on ACT Housing’s operations and adequate compensation of ACT Housing for any shortfalls that occur.
Government Response
Negotiations are currently underway for the next Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement. In accordance with ACT Housing’s Strategic Asset Management Plan, funding for repairs and maintenance at a reasonable level is agreed, and additional funds have also been provided for the capital upgrade, improvement and refurbishment of properties in the 1999-2000 Budget. The issue of reinvesting revenues from sale of stock into the maintenance of public housing stock is consistent with current requirements under the Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement and the Commonwealth’s offer as part of the renegotiation of the next Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement.
The issues of inner city redevelopment, social housing, and restructure of housing stock to meet clients’ needs are being addressed in ACT Housing’s Strategic Asset Management Plan. The safety of multi-unit complexes is also being addressed. Broader social housing options, such as the needs of those exiting crisis and short term accommodation, are being considered, and an independent analysis has been undertaken regarding the redevelopment of MacPherson Court.
Work is currently in progress on the development of policy and procedures manuals. Details, including information about the calculation of rebates, can be provided on request. ACT Housing and the Housing Purchaser attend monthly meetings with ACT Shelter to discuss policies and to respond to issues raised, and other forums are available, such as the Housing Advisory Committee. Housing advisory mechanisms are currently subject to review.
The issue of outreach services is not an ACT Housing function, though ACT Housing often becomes involved through tenancy management issues. A Bilateral Aboriginal Housing Agreement is being developed. The Department of Education and Community Services has initiated discussions with ACT Housing and community agencies to identify strategies to support young people moving into secure and affordable accommodation through ACT Housing. A Supported Accommodation Assistance Program youth sector review has been scheduled for later this year and will identify strategies to support young people in the ACT.
Ainslie Village provides emergency hostel accommodation and Havelock House is also available for hostel accommodation, especially for the young. In addition, accommodation will be made available for lone fathers. People who are exiting refuges and Supported Accommodation Assistance Program funded services are subject to waiting lists and/or priority allocation. Emergency and priority accommodation often requires temporary allocation to a multi-unit site as these often have accommodation available due to the turnover rate of tenants. More appropriate accommodation is then allocated when it becomes available. ACT Housing recognises the problems and has participated in several meetings addressing these needs. The need for low cost inner city accommodation is being addressed as part of the "Our City" Project and all options that enable private renting are being considered. The current policy on bond loans is consistent with the most effective use of resources. The tightening of the private rental sector and its effect on demand for public housing is being closely monitored.
Expectations are that the effects of the GST will be absorbed by the landlord initially but may flow on to the tenant as leases expire. The impact of the GST on tenants in the short term will be largely dependent on the market conditions when their rent is assessed. It is expected that offsetting compensation will be available from the Commonwealth for low income and pension beneficiaries. The effect of the GST on ACT Housing’s operations is being considered in a whole of Government context.
ACTSPORT
ACTSPORT points to the health and economic benefits to be gained from investment in sport and recreation. It recommends that the Government develop and publish a long term sporting facilities plan and consider the construction of a multipurpose facility at Deakin.
ACTSPORT request increased funding of $0.500m for sportsground maintenance to ensure that grounds remain at an acceptable standard, particularly in view of higher user charges. In addition ACTSPORT recommends that greater flexibility be pursued regarding water needs of sporting grounds.
ACTSPORT recommends the identification of three or four suitable and willing schools to permit community use of their facilities after school hours, generating revenue for the participating schools and providing quality facilities for the sport. ACTSPORT believes that this proposal requires immediate action as community sporting groups are finding it difficult to access sporting facilities.
ACTSPORT believes that the Canberra Tourism and Events Corporation (CTEC) needs reviewing. ACTSPORT would like to work more closely with CTEC, especially in the area of the economic modeling of the impact of sporting events.
ACTSPORT recommends that sports grants funding be increased by $0.070m and believes that the discrepancy between arts and sports funding be examined.
ACTSPORT believes that schools are not meeting the designated number of hours to be spent on Health and Physical Education (PE) and that teachers require additional professional development in delivering these programs. ACTSPORT recommends that the PE and School Sport Plan be reintroduced, and that ACTSPORT be involved in the proposed review of the Health, PE and Sport Unit within the Department of Education and Community Services.
ACTSPORT requests that the current arrangements for the distribution of poker machine revenue be maintained and that the 1% levy on poker machines to support the ACT Academy of Sport be directly secured.
Government Response
The Government agrees with ACTSPORT that there needs to be a strategic plan directing the development of sport and recreation facilities in the ACT. A previous plan, prepared in 1995, is currently being reviewed with a view to closely involving the Sport and Recreation Council in the preparation of a new document. It is intended that there will be wide consultation with the sporting community, including ACTSPORT, to ensure that the plan is understood and supported by sports groups. It will also give a sound basis for future capital works progress. A multi-sport proposal for the West Deakin site is to be the subject of a feasibility study in the 1999-2000 Capital Works Program.
The Government continues to explore options to enhance the standard of sportsgrounds and provide safe and suitable playing surfaces for all users. This is evident through the recent horticultural maintenance tendering process.
As part of School Based Management arrangements ACTSPORT is free to negotiate any pilot program, including fees and offsetting arrangements, with schools that may wish to be involved. A number of schools across Canberra are designated as "Centre Schools" for community use and ACTSPORT is encouraged to contact the department directly to discuss use of these facilities.
CTEC’s role through the Events Development Fund is to provide seed funding for new and existing events in the ACT. Successful applications have a particular focus on tourism related outcomes such as the ability to attract visitors from interstate and overseas. The Bureau of Sport and Recreation has representation on the Events Development Fund assessment committee, and the majority of events funded through the Events Development Fund are of a sporting nature. As a statutory corporation, it is not CTEC’s role to compete with the private sector by staging events that generate profit to the organisation and that will subsequently impact on private sector management businesses.
Funding through the Sport and Recreation Development Grants Program, in conjunction with the Sports Skilling Program, enables sports to develop participation at the grass roots level, with the intention of working towards self sufficiency and minimising the reliance on financial assistance.
The Government remains committed to giving a high priority to PE and School Sport, and is undertaking the review mentioned in the ACTSPORT submission. The Government has given the review a wider scope than that mentioned by ACTSPORT and it will examine the most effective way in which the resources of the whole Department of Education and Community Services, School Sport ACT and community organisations can be organised. ACTSPORT is one of the key organisations being consulted in the review. The designated number of hours spent on Health and PE is being met and more detailed information on this matter will be provided to ACTSPORT.
The ACT is a signatory to the National Competition Agreement and is obliged to review its legislation to remove restrictive practices unless it can be shown to be for the public good. Legislation to be reviewed includes gambling legislation. Depending on the outcomes of this review, the Government will review its current policy on gaming machines in the club industry. Notwithstanding this, the Government’s intention at this stage is to maintain funding to the ACT Academy of Sport to the equivalent of the 1% levy on poker machine profits over $0.025m per month per club.
Archdiocesan Welfare Advisory Committee - Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn
The Archdiocesan Welfare Advisory Committee - Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn highlights marginalisation of the mentally ill within the Canberra community. It recommends an examination of the current level of resource allocation towards the support and assistance of people experiencing mental illness and believes that, if necessary, this funding should be increased. The Committee invites the Government to assist in the preparation of an analysis of the level of marginalisation in the region and in the development of strategies to address this issue.
Government Response
The Government is committed to improving services for people with a mental illness in the ACT. The National Mental Health Report 1997 indicates that the ACT increased its spending on mental health by 20% from 1993 to 1997.
Amounts of $0.150m in 1996-97, $0.250m in 1997-98 and $0.400m in 1998-99 have been provided on a recurrent basis to improve mental health services in the community. These funds have been used for the provision of community based residential support, respite care services, services for people with a dual diagnosis of mental illness and problematic substance use, and psychosocial rehabilitation.
Assisting Drug Dependents Inc
Although Assisting Drug Dependents Inc (ADDInc) accepts the outcome of a recent tender process for the provision of peer based information, education and support service for current injecting drug users, it expresses concerns about the process and argues that the establishment of "peer" group service is a separate and different function from provision of services for the broad group of drug users.
ADDInc requests fresh consideration of the decision to close 33A East Row, citing evidence of need, genuine consultation with users and possible overflow of overdose and intoxication incidences to DRIC (the Drug Referral and Information Centre), and indicates that the needle exchange should at least be resourced to cope with the likely increase in service levels. ADDInc recommends a one-off grant of $0.010m to DRIC for refurbishment of the premises, particularly to satisfy occupational health and safety concerns; recommends continuation of the Late Night DRIC Program for one year at the current level of funding; and recommends that Hepatitis A and B vaccinations be made available to the at-risk groups that access the Program.
ADDInc recommends continuation of the Parents’ and Children’s Clinics, and requests $0.015m to fund a needle awareness program in primary schools and to continue/expand the Canberra College drugs education initiative.
ADDInc welcomes the Government’s initiative to increase funding in 1998-99 for Arcadia House Withdrawal Centre and recommends that this funding be maintained. ADDInc requests that Calvary Hospital pharmacy be licensed to distribute Methadone. ADDInc strongly endorses the Government’s efforts to increase pharmacy participation in the Needle Exchange Program and welcomes the review of Safety Packs. However, ADDInc remains concerned that administrative arrangements for licensing needle exchange workers are unsatisfactory and that ADDInc’s contract provision for training of Needle Exchange Program workers does not take account of the comprehensiveness of the training.
Government Response
The Government’s tender for peer drug education services was based on consultation which indicated that such services should be offered by an organisation which has substantial peer input throughout its structure. The process was an open one in which all proponents were able to put their case both in writing and through meetings with the tender panel. The tender panel included an independent (non government) member.
The Department of Health and Community Care has negotiated a higher purchase price with ADDInc in 1998-99 to allow the organisation to maintain service levels in light of changes in cost structures associated with the Social and Community Services Award and other extraordinary cost items. Additional resources to cope with Occupational Health and Safety issues will be considered in the 1999-2000 contract consultations. Funding for Late Night DRIC and for the Parents’ and Children’s clinics will be continued.
The Government supports the priority provision of Hepatitis A and B vaccinations to people in high risk categories and has developed a proposal, in consultation with ADDInc, that seeks incentive funding under the Commonwealth Public Health Outcomes Funding Agreement. Additional funding for needle awareness will be addressed through the outcomes of the Needle and Syringe Exchange Program review. Funding for Arcadia House was increased in 1998-99 and this will be maintained in 1999-2000. The Government supports the principle of providing access to detoxification and rehabilitation services to people on methadone and is currently reviewing its policy regarding additional methadone dispensing locations.
The Government is currently negotiating with ADDInc to take over the licensing and training program for Needle Exchange Program workers with an appropriate allocation of funds to provide adequate training. The Government has also developed protocols and guidelines for the administration of the needle exchange licensing process and is working with ADDInc on strategies to increase accountability and to ensure that the process is consistent with the requirements of the Drugs of Dependence Act 1989.
Association of Parents and Friends of ACT Schools Inc
The Association of Parents and Friends of ACT Schools Inc (APFACTS) believes that the Government should provide additional financial support to the non-government school sector, arguing that this would result in more students being educated in that sector and reduce the per student cost to the ACT Government. APFACTS recommends a review of future capital and interest support needs for the non-government school sector and suggests that there is a lack of equity in school funding arrangements.
APFACTS requests increased funding for the Non-Government Schools Office of $0.060m-$0.080m for the provision of additional personnel and resources. It urges the Government to continue to honour its election commitments to provide an additional $0.400m in recurrent funding and $0.100m special needs funding for students with disabilities to ACT non-government schools for the term of this Government. APFACTS recommends that an indicator other than CPI be used to ensure that funding is maintained in real terms and believes that there should be no free schooling for those who can afford to pay.
APFACTS recommends a review of student bus fares that takes account of school location and student travel needs and an examination of traffic congestion and set down safety around many non-government schools.
APFACTS believes that the Government should have clear objectives in relation to the provision of schooling and in particular the role it sees for non-government schools. It also believes that the purchase of school education services does not comply with service purchasing principles, and that there should be better performance measures for educational outcomes. It believes that the value of assets per student in the government school sector is excessively high and that greater capital provision to the non-government sector would be more cost effective.
APFACTS believes that the cost of government schooling has been understated because of the manner in which superannuation costs were treated, and that there is a $52m error in the "Statement of Revenue and Expenses on Behalf of the Territory".
Government Response
The Government supports parent choice and has clearly demonstrated its commitment to supporting non-government schools through substantial increases in funding. The Government will meet its election commitment to increase the base of general recurrent funding to non-government schools by $0.400m each year until 2003 when the increase will total $1.600m. In addition, the Government is committed to maintaining its election commitment to provide an additional $0.100m per annum for four years to non-government schools for students with disabilities. This additional funding represents the limit of the Government’s capacity within the financial constraints faced by the ACT.
All educational services provided to students with disabilities enrolled in government schools are sourced internally. The Government does not purchase services for students with disabilities on behalf of non-government school students. Funding is provided to allow independent schools and the Commission to allocate resources to students appropriate to their needs. Funding in 1999 will amount to $0.300m in direct grants, and schools are paid a top-up amount to bring the per capita general recurrent grant for students with disabilities up to the highest per capita funding category (Category 12).
The Government acknowledges that Canberra has the highest proportion of non-government school students in the country. Parents’ right to choose the education for their child is supported through the funding guarantees which apply equally to the government and non-government sectors. Despite its small size the ACT has a diversity of provision of non-government schools comparable with that of any other state or territory.
Free education is a provision of the Education Act 1937 (through incorporation of earlier NSW legislation). The principle of free universal education is well established and has broad community acceptance. ACT education legislation is being examined by the Aitkin Committee, which includes APFACTS in its representation and which will make recommendations to the Government.
The Government does not see a need to review the Interest Subsidy Scheme since the Scheme has been able to accommodate all new project applications. The Government has a policy of maintaining funding in real terms for both government and non-government schools, with the CPI being used as the index for determining the maintenance of real funding adjustments. The Government believes that the Non-Government Schools Office is adequately staffed to provide sound advice to the Minister.
Student bus fares are set at 35% of the adult fare (an increase from 25%), with a concession all zone ticket available for families on low incomes. The Government has requested the Independent Pricing Commissioner to consider the cost of public transport services and an appropriate fare structure. The introduction of zones means the cost of travel broadly reflects the distance travelled. The majority of dedicated school bus routes are unchanged from 1998 and the major change is the transfer of the articulated buses to school services which has resulted in the amalgamation of some services and slightly longer routes. These articulated buses have a licensed capacity of 110 people, which is not being exceeded. The Government shares APFACTS’ concerns about safety, and options are being examined that will improve safety for students.
The Government’s responsibilities regarding educational standards in non-government schools are clearly specified in the Education Act 1937, which provides for the registration of non-government schools. Registration requirements include the provision that the "nature and content of instruction offered at the school shall be satisfactory". The Government has a responsibility under the Schools Authority Act 1976 to provide preschool, primary, high and college education, and parents may choose to educate their children at either a government or non-government school. Schooling in the ACT is characterised by diversity and choice, and the Government is committed to promoting diversity of learning environments.
The ACT Department of Education and Community Services complies with all ACT Government principles and standards that apply to government purchasing of outputs. The Government does not purchase services from non-government school education providers. Rather, non-government schools provide their school education services direct to parents. Competitive neutrality only applies to government owned businesses, and legal advice indicates that school education is not generally classed as a business.
The Government is addressing issues of asset management for government schooling. Capital expenditure decisions take into account full life cycle costs, benefits and risks, and a number of mechanisms to monitor performance and utilisation are used for education facilities.
The Government has recently introduced very substantial changes to government accounting practice and financial reporting which mean that all government sector superannuation liabilities are now fully reported. From 1997-98 funding and management of the liability was devolved to individual agencies rather than being managed at a whole of government level.
There is no understatement of revenues or expenditures in the Department of Education and Community Services Financial Statements for 1997-98. Payment for expenses on behalf of the ACT are amounts paid into the Department of Education and Community Services account to make payments on behalf of the Government. These amounts are balanced by "Grants, Subsidies and Concession Payments" listed under Territory Expenses. Amounts shown against "Commonwealth Government Grants" separately identify the appropriate funds within Territory Revenue; these funds are balanced by a Territory Expense identified as "Transfers to Government". This is in line with accepted accounting practice.
Australian Education Union - ACT Branch
In its submission, the Australian Education Union - ACT Branch (AEU) focuses on investment in schools and training institutions as the best way to reduce the cost of social dysfunction to the community in the future.
AEU believes that some children in the school system are at risk of failure through their behaviour and attitudes. AEU recommends that the Government support its own initiative "Affirming the High School Years" by providing funding of $0.450m for ten case coordinators to work with government high schools, the ACT Department of Education and Community Services and other relevant bodies. AEU also advocates the early detection of behavioural disorders in children, and recommends that the Government provide $0.135m for the introduction of community based counsellors to work with school staff, parents and other agencies to provide early intervention strategies.
AEU recommends that the Government provide an additional $0.218m to support the integration of students with physical and intellectual disabilities in mainstream classes. It also recommends an extra seven special teacher assistants for this purpose at a cost of $0.182m. To improve the development of Individual Education Programs, teachers need more time released from face to face teaching and AEU recommends the provision of $0.045m plus on costs to satisfy this need.
AEU recommends that the Government allocate extra resources to support the Belconnen and Tuggeranong High School Support Centres until the end of 1999 ($0.076m) and to establish a new Support Centre in the Central Canberra region ($0.076m).
AEU believes that the Government should increase to ten the full time equivalent teachers working with the Itinerant Behaviour Management Services at an estimated cost of $0.303m. It also recommends increased support of $0.120m for college age students who are at risk of not completing Year 12.
AEU recommends a reduction in class sizes in Year 1 of primary school and the development of a proposal to reduce classes in Year 2 in the Year 2000. It requests that the Government increase resources to primary schools by around $1.100m to facilitate the reduction in class sizes in Year 1 to an average of 25 in the Year 2000.
AEU believes that changes need to be made to the budgetary outcome and forward estimates for the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) to prevent a decline in the quality provision of training and further education. The issue of competitive tendering needs to be re-examined in this area.
Government Response
The Department of Education and Community Services has a strong commitment to the "Affirming the High School Years" goal of the Education Plan and will be examining methods of supporting this goal, and the proposal for ten case coordination workers will be examined in this context.
The Government supports the concept of inter-agency liaison. The introduction of community based counsellors to work with school staff, parents and other agencies to provide effective early intervention strategies for students identified early as at risk would complement existing programs and develop stronger links connecting students with society. However the community based counsellors would not replace the role of school counsellors, and the Government is unable to allocate additional resources for this purpose.
The Government allocates significant resources to support students with physical and intellectual disabilities in mainstream classes. Resources will be provided to support the Belconnen and Tuggeranong High School Support Centres until the end of 1999, and to investigate the suggestion that additional support centres be established. These programs complement existing programs and cater for students who need immediate short term time out from their home school.
The Government agrees with the principle of supporting students in their home schools. The proposal that the Government increase to ten the number of full time equivalent teachers working with the Itinerant Behaviour Management Services is limited by resourcing but will be examined in the context of the "Affirming High Schools" goal of the Education Plan.
The Government believes that the current staff allocation in ACT colleges is adequate to meet the needs of students at risk of not completing Year 12.
In response to AEU’s recommendation for additional resourcing to reduce class sizes in Years 1 and 2, it should be noted that primary schools have the capacity within their overall resources to make decisions about class sizes.
The CIT is and will remain the predominant ACT vocational education and training provider. The Government is committed and obliged under national funding agreements to increase competition in the vocational education and training sector The CIT wins the bulk of contestable funds. For example, in 1998-99 it won $4.200m of contestable funding, compared to only $2.800m won by private providers. Similar proportions are expected in 1999-2000. To obtain Australian National Training Authority funds, the ACT must show continued growth through efficiencies.
Even with adjustments claimed by AEU, the ACT is still the second most expensive jurisdiction (after the NT) for vocational education and training. The Government is committed to improving the efficiency of delivery of vocational education and training services. It has been obliged to do this to qualify for Commonwealth growth funds. In the four years up to 1998, 80% of growth funds received was allocated directly to the CIT.
The Government is committed to identifying the considerable potential for further efficiencies in the way delivery is organised at the CIT. The quality of training delivered is assured through the requirement that private providers which receive public funds are required to comply with the same processes as the CIT. Registered Training Providers’ quality assurance processes and monitoring at the program delivery level is managed by the Office of Training and Adult Education.
Australian Federal Police Association - ACT Police Branch
The Australian Federal Police Association - ACT Police Branch (AFPA) claims that there is a serious staffing and resource crisis for ACT policing. It recommends that at least an extra 66 new police need to be recruited and deployed to the ACT quickly, costed at $7.920m per annum. It also recommends that extra funding be identified in order to enable a greater number of existing police to work after business hours, when the majority of crime occurs. AFPA argues that some administrative and support roles within the AFP are in fact frontline duties, and suggests that roles such as radio communications could be effectively staffed by police who are suffering from long term injuries that prevent them from being on patrol. AFPA also requests funding of approximately $0.670m for equipment such as capsicum spray and self loading pistols, plus an additional $0.050m for uniforms.
AFPA identifies a number of sources for funding. It recommends that monies saved after the introduction of home detention be redirected to the police budget and that private sponsorship of road traffic campaigns should be encouraged by the Government. It believes that any assets seized from criminals should be redirected into the police budget and that approximately $0.050m from the Emergency Services levy should be allocated to the AFP’s Search and Rescue Team, with recurrent funding of $0.010m for maintenance purposes. AFPA also recommends that a Community Policing Levy should be applied to meet the above increases. AFPA believes that a more effective Proceeds of Crime Act may assist the ACT in utilising the assets of criminals to fund police operations and other community welfare programs.
Government Response
The Policing Arrangement is currently subject to review, with overall police resources in the ACT , including funding for uniforms and equipment, being addressed as part of that review. Arrangements are underway to provide ACT police with self loading pistols and capsicum spray.
Frontline policing addresses some of the perceived pitfalls of over-reliance of civilianisation of some positions to increase police presence `on the street'. This is a matter of which the AFP is aware and is being addressed in an operational context.
Several policy issues remain to be resolved before any trial of a home detention scheme could be introduced. While the Government remains committed to the introduction of home detention, it is unlikely any trial will be commenced during the next financial year.
Private sector funding is provided for policing initiatives such as Neighbourhood Watch (Tattersall’s), Safety House (MBF) and Crime Prevention (AGL). These are negotiated on a one-off bilateral basis and do not, generally, form part of overall budget considerations.
In terms of using criminal assets, the funding for community policing is part of the current review and an appropriate level of resourcing will be negotiated.
The Emergency Services Levy is an additional tax and is designed to relieve the pressure of emergency services funding on other sources of general revenue. Additional resources have not been provided to the Emergency Services Bureau as a result of the imposition of the levy. The level of funding provided to cost centres is based on the amount of outputs that the Government wishes to purchase. An appropriate level of resourcing will be negotiated as part of the current review.
Barnardos Australia ACT
Barnardos Australia ACT requests additional resources totalling some $0.580m for a range of initiatives: additional respite care for adolescents at risk of abuse or having to move into substitute care; increased foster care payment rates; two additional outreach workers and additional accommodation options in the Transition Program; introduction of a financial subsidy for clients’ removal costs; extension of special transport assistance to assist families where children’s access to services is essential; and the provision of subsidies to assist disadvantaged students undertaking CIT courses.
Government Response
The Government provides two foster care programs for adolescents, Galilee (12 places) and Open Family (15 places). The issue of additional care days will be considered in the context of the Government Response to the Substitute Care Review. The Government is very conscious of the valuable work done by foster carers. ACT foster care rates are equivalent to, and in some instances better than, rates in other states and the Northern Territory, and these rates are adjusted annually according to the CPI.
The Department of Education and Community Services has initiated discussions with ACT Housing with regard to the range of settings available to support young people moving into secure and affordable accommodation through ACT Housing services. Although Supported Accommodation Assistance Program services are not funded specifically for removalist services, services can legitimately utilise part of their general operational funding for residents’ costs.
The issue of special transport assistance for families with children at risk should be pursued with Regional Community Services.
The Minister for Education has agreed to a concession policy which applies to all Canberra Institute of Technology students and which takes into consideration financial situation and relative needs in an equitable manner. These concessions are fully available to all Barnados clients who meet the concession criteria.
Belconnen Community Council Inc
The Belconnen Community Council Inc is concerned about the priority given to the further development of Civic and believes that the development of Civic should not be at the expense of other town centres. Since the Belconnen town centre is the closest town centre to Bruce Stadium, it will be important in promoting a positive image of Canberra, particularly during the Olympic Games, and therefore funding should be provided for the Belconnen town centre master plan. The Council is also concerned that the continued uncertainty regarding usage of the Cameron and Benjamin Offices is compromising the viability of Belconnen town centre.
The Council believes that the downgrading of a promised $15m Aquatic Centre to an $8m swimming pool will not maximise efficient use of public monies on this project. Additionally, the Council believes that a 50 metre pool and associated facilities would maximise the benefits of the capital outlay.
The Council urges the Government to provide adequate funding to address drainage and other run-off into Lake Ginninderra, and to control weed growth.
The Council notes the Government contribution to Kippax and Charnwood shopping centres. The Council proposes that Austouch facilities be located at all suburban shopping centres, particularly those close to concentrations of older persons. It also expresses concerns about funding allocated for the relocation of the Belconnen bus interchange and believes that there has not been adequate community consultation on the proposed relocation.
Government Response
The "Our City" discussion paper and strategies aim to consolidate Civic’s position as the pre-eminent centre within the retail hierarchy. However, studies underway such as the Belconnen town centre master plan and Tuggeranong Foreshore master plan will also maximise the potential of town centres. The forthcoming Belconnen town centre master plan will address issues and maximise the potential of this town centre. Funding has been identified and work is scheduled to commence on the master plan in mid 1999.
The Government remains active with the Belconnen Pool Project, as can be seen by the allocation of $1.200m in the 1999-2000 Capital Works Program for this project. The Allen Consulting Group was appointed in November 1998 to carry out the study and has undertaken an extensive public consultation process which included a series of public meetings, focus groups, round table discussions, one on one meetings and a survey. A final report has now been received and is currently being analysed.
The waters of Lake Ginninderra are protected by the provision of three upstream ponds and a number of gross pollutant traps which all act as filtration systems for the Lake. All new developments in the area are required to have mechanisms which protect the waters of Ginninderra Creek and Lake Ginninderra. In the Lake Ginninderra area, aquatic plants are removed from sites where they are creating a nuisance to allow for effective recreational use of the waterway.
There are currently 17 Austouch kiosks operating in shopping centres, bus interchanges and libraries around Canberra, some of which are located at suburban centres. The criteria for selecting kiosk locations are high volume of pedestrian traffic, an easily accessible and high profile position, extended hours of access and equitable geographic coverage of the ACT. As a result of reviewing the performance of kiosks, the potential may arise for the relocation of an existing kiosk. No government funds are expected to be available for the installation of additional kiosks.
The Government is supporting suburban retailing notably through Variation 64 to the Territory Plan. The Variation allows a wider range of uses at local centres, remission of the Change of Use Charge to facilitate change, precinct management and HelpSHOP assistance in centres such as Page, Melba, McKellar, Emu Ridge, Macquarie, Hawker, Charnwood and Kippax.
A feasibility study is currently being undertaken under the 1998-99 Capital Works Program to examine the possible relocation of Belconnen and Tuggeranong Interchanges. Should the study recommend relocation then public consultation would take place prior to the design stage.
Belconnen Employment Solutions Taskforce
Belconnen Employment Solutions Taskforce (BEST) supports the continuation of funding for Employment and Training as listed in the 1989-99 Budget initiatives and as contained in the Pathways to Employment Opportunities documents which were released in February 1999.
BEST recommends research into the provision of information about services for job seekers of different ages, genders and special circumstances, and recommends that this be funded at $0.012m and put out to competitive tender.
BEST believes that the ACT Government and ACT funded agencies should examine ways to improve their links with the Commonwealth Government and Commonwealth funded agencies to assist people with job search inhibiting problems. Further, BEST recommends a study of the extent and type of paid casual work in the ACT, with special attention to regulations and the methods by which casual workers can be assisted towards more regular paid employment.
While BEST appreciates the work of the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) in the ACT community, it believes that the funding of the CIT should be increased to improve access to courses and to reduce class sizes.
BEST supports the REAMP submission on the health needs of job seekers. It recommends that any inquiry into the provision and advertising of suicide prevention measures should take into account the effects of unemployment. In addition, the availability and accessibility of training for education, youth and community workers in suicide prevention counselling and other referral activities should be considered.
Government Response
All employment programs have been outsourced and service providers have a 1+1+1 year contract. The Pathways to Employment Opportunities package was developed after extensive community consultation. It offers information about all the programs and provides ongoing consistency for the next three years. It is not envisaged that major enhancements will be made under current contracts and neither the level of inflation nor the level of unemployment suggests major enhancements are needed.
Employment program providers are experts in their field and are in the best position to provide information concerning their services to various groups of clients. In addition, the Open Access Centres offer shopfront locations across Canberra and serve as the entrance to the "Employment Pathway". Community consultation is ongoing through the Employment Services Industry Forum which disseminates information widely.
The ACT Government is formally linked to the Commonwealth through the State Employment Forum and also has informal links to relevant areas of the Commonwealth Government. In addition, contracted service providers are often service providers for the Commonwealth, providing a wide cross fertilisation of information and ideas. Within the ACT Government there are a number of consultative groups such as the Youth Inter-Departmental Committee, Juvenile Justice working group and the Services Purchasing Working Group where links are maintained.
The casual employment policy issue is on the agenda of the State Employment Forum.
The CIT contributes to the Government’s strategic vision and desired outcomes for the ACT with the specific objective to achieve a workforce with skills appropriate to the current and forecast needs of industry and with the enhanced prospects and quality of life. The Government formulates the budgets for the CIT and all government entities on the basis of the provision of outputs (goods and services) which meet the Government’s objectives, not on the provision of inputs.
The ACT Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy was released in December 1998. A range of factors, including factors unrelated to health such as unemployment, contribute to youth suicide, and given the complex nature of youth suicide, the strategy stresses the need for partnerships between agencies. The Commonwealth, in partnership with the ACT Government, has allocated $0.100m for education and training of professionals who work in the youth suicide prevention area. $0.093m has been allocated to Calvary Hospital which will shortly commence its Youth Suicide Awareness and Education Program. A wide range of issues will be addressed, using a program adapted to the needs of the ACT which includes discussion of the effects of unemployment.
Canberra Business Council
The Canberra Business Council (CBC) supports the Government’s expenditure reduction strategy and believes higher taxation will force business out of the ACT. It is not satisfied that the current over-expenditure in many areas is related to the delivery of higher standards of those services, and would like to explore ways to establish a lower cost basis for business through taxation.
CBC believes that a systematic review of potential efficiency gains should be completed in terms of maintaining service delivery levels, particularly in health and education, while reducing the cost of delivering these services.
CBC believes there is a need to develop strategies to better inform the public debate and to encourage long term choices by the community and Assembly. It wishes to work with the Government and the Assembly in reaching this outcome.
CBC recommends that existing business be strengthened by creating a competitive business environment of reduced business cost rather than expending resources on attracting industry. It believes that the Change of Use Charge should be reduced to 50% or lower.
CBC believes that a greater focus on attracting international students should be developed and believes that the Government needs to capitalise on the Centenary of Federation and Sydney 2000 activities.
CBC believes that specific business costs (eg workers’ compensation) need to be examined in relation to costs in other jurisdictions. CBC believes the regulatory and business impact statements are of great importance, and suggests that communication be improved so that proposed changes are tested for their impact on the business community. CBC does not sense a whole of government approach to the introduction of business policies, but notes that the Government is moving towards examining the cost of planning policies.
CBC welcomes the Government’s position on asset management and encourages the review of ACT owned assets to consider methods of maximising the community benefits from the employment of its assets.
Government Response
The Government is committed to its strategy of achieving a sustainable budget surplus through reducing both the cost of government and the operating loss. The Government’s success in building a strong and growing ACT economy through developing a business-friendly environment is reflected in the ACT currently having an unemployment rate lower than any state in the country. Over time this will result in positive net migration to the ACT, as the ACT consolidates its position as an employment hub for the region. The Government will continue its focus on reducing the operating loss through whatever means present themselves. For example, the Government successfully argued for an additional $57.5m in Commonwealth general revenue grant funding to the ACT in 1999-2000.
The Government agrees that reducing the costs to businesses in the ACT is the best way of achieving sustainable long term economic growth for the ACT. A number of the more inefficient taxes will be abolished as part of the Commonwealth Government’s national tax reform proposals. The ACT already offers the most generous payroll tax concession to small business, with one of the highest thresholds in the country.
In education, health and a number of other areas, the Government has been working to identify comparisons against national benchmarks. These are discussed in more detail elsewhere in the 1999-2000 Budget Papers, as part of a conscious communication strategy to foster an informed community debate on services. Asset sales or other one-off measures cannot of themselves remove the need for reform in education and health. The Government is actively seeking efficiencies in all areas of service delivery, within the context of the commitments it made at the last election.
The Government is as much committed to the development and support of the local business community as it is the attraction of investment from outside the ACT. The Government understands the need to help reduce the impost on business and will continue to strive to reduce red tape and help lower the cost of doing business in the ACT. The views of the business community will be taken into account in the Government’s consideration of Professor Nicholls’ report on the Change of Use Charge.
The Government has committed an additional $6m over three years for the purpose of promoting and marketing the ACT in the lead up to and beyond the 2000 and 2001. A strategy has been prepared and is being implemented by the Canberra Tourism and Events Corporation.
The Government has been analysing options for reviewing private sector workers’ compensation in the ACT. On completion of the analysis phase, the issues involved will be subject to an intensive consultation process. There is a range of mechanisms to achieve a whole of government perspective on planning initiatives. Draft Variations to the Territory Plan are put out for public consultation before going to the Executive and the Assembly. Major planning policies also go through a major consultation process both in the community and within government.
The Government’s Asset Management Strategy incorporates principles and objectives for effective asset management, whole of government strategic issues, service delivery and a framework and guidelines for asset management. Formal assessment and evaluation mechanisms are established as part of asset management plans to measure asset performance and to link these to service delivery objectives. Asset related decisions are made on a case by case basis with regard to effectiveness and efficiency.
Canberra Police and Citizens Youth Clubs Inc
The Canberra Police & Citizens Youth Clubs Inc (CPCYC) believes that its service is vital and that the current level of Government funding and support should be maintained. As well, CPCYC believes that some funding should be redirected from the support of elite athletes to CPCYC so that it can purchase quantities of equipment for less gifted athletes.
Government Response
The Government will maintain its financial support to CPCYC in recognition of its contribution to the development of healthy lifestyles and to crime prevention in the ACT.
The Government supports non-elite athletes through the Sport and Recreation Development Program, provision of sporting grounds, the Sports Skilling Program and the Active Leaders Program in schools. The pathway for young athletes to aspire to elite level is important and the ACT Academy of Sport provides the opportunity for this progression.
Canberra Rape Crisis Centre
The Canberra Rape Crisis Centre seeks recurrent funding for service provision to Indigenous survivors of sexual violence with a focus on such aspects as counselling, support and advocacy, education to school children and Indigenous communities, training for non Indigenous workers in working with Indigenous survivors of sexual violence and the facilitation of support groups for survivors of sexual violence.
Government Response
The Government believes that the most cost effective option for addressing the need to respond to sexual assault in the Indigenous community is the provision of special training for workers in existing services.
Canberra Schizophrenia Fellowship
The Canberra Schizophrenia Fellowship (CSF) believes that the community requires a greater level of awareness about the effects of schizophrenia. It argues that by increasing funding for Mental Health Services the Government will assist those suffering from schizophrenia.
CSF proposes that the Government fund an outreach program which provides home visits and organised outings for those suffering from mental illnesses. A second proposal is to increase funding of the Psychosocial Rehabilitation/Clubhouse Project, and a third proposal is to fund the neuropsychological assessment and neurocognitive training of individuals with early psychosis.
Government Response
It is clear that health outcomes for people with a mental illness are improved if they are treated in the community wherever possible, though many people with a mental illness require support to live in the community, particularly those not used to community living. The Government committed funds of $0.150m in 1996-97, $0.250m in 1997-98, and $0.150m in 1998-99 specifically for the purpose of improving community based residential support services. Clients are supported in their own houses, or in housing found for them by the non-government service provider. If required, clients are provided with clinical services by ACT Mental Health Services, via a Memorandum of Understanding with the non-government provider. The Accommodation Support Team of ACT Mental Health Services also provides outreach support (both clinical and social support) to clients living in the community, particularly to those who have recently left Watson Hostel.
The Government accepts the need to provide funding to develop psychosocial rehabilitation and engaged an independent consultant to conduct a Feasibility Study into the Development of a Clubhouse Facility in the ACT. The consultant found that a stand alone Clubhouse would not meet community needs. Subsequently the Department of Health and Community Care convened a public forum to discuss the way forward in the development of psychosocial rehabilitation services. At that meeting it was decided that the Department would provide funds to ACTCOSS to develop a network of psychosocial rehabilitation services for the ACT. The Government has allocated $0.075m for the one year project. It is envisaged that the project will conclude in April 2000 at which time the need for further funding will be reviewed.
Funding is provided by ACT Mental Health Services for a full time neuropsychologist who trains psychologists within the Services to provide assessment of early onset psychosis. The Government is not currently providing neurocognitive training of individuals with early psychosis, although future funding for such a service will be considered.
Catholic Education Commission - Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn
The Catholic Education Commission - Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn thanks the Government for its response in the 1998-99 Budget to the needs of non-government schools. However, the Commission believes that the Government should increase the per capita funding for non-government schools to 25% of the average recurrent cost of ACT government schools. Further, it recommends that the Government set a per capita grant level of $0.002m per eligible special needs student in non-government schools in 1999-2000, increasing in real terms to $0.003m per student by 2001-02. The Commission urges the Government to guarantee that interest subsidy funds will be sufficient to ensure all eligible loans to ACT non-government schools are approved for interest subsidy.
The Commission recommends the removing or restructuring of the bus zoning system so that the burden of additional cost does not unjustly fall on the parents/guardians of the non-government school sector. It also requests that safety and service issues be addressed.
Government Response
The Government will honour its commitment to increase general recurrent funding by $0.400m each year over the next four years to make a total increase to the base of $1.600m. The ACT’s financial position does not permit any further increase.
The Government will meet its election commitment to increase the base of the funding assistance to non-government schools for students with a disability by $0.100m each year for the next four years (commencing from 1999), to make a total increase of $0.400m. This is in addition to the $0.200m which commenced in 1997-98 for students with a disability.
The Interest Subsidy Scheme has been able to accommodate all new project applications. The Government’s substantial commitments to increase the base of recurrent funding and that of funding for services for students with disabilities represents the limit of the Government’s capacity within the financial constraints faced by the ACT.
Student fares are set at 35% of the adult fare (an increase from 25%), with concession fares available for low income families. The introduction of zones means the cost of travel broadly reflects the distance travelled.
Centacare - Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn
Centacare - Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn indicates that its Marriage and Counselling Service is experiencing difficulty with the number and type of clients trying to access its service and is inadequately resourced to deal with the emerging demand. Centacare also expresses concern that reduction in community health services has caused health centres to inappropriately refer people with mental illness or in crisis to its Marriage and Family Counselling Service.
Centacare requests an increase in public housing to address homelessness and the need for safe and secure housing for young people, single adults and families, and encourages the ACT Government to work closely with the Commonwealth to ensure the ACT receives adequate funding to implement early intervention programs for homeless young people. Centacare warns that without an increase in social housing, Supported Accommodation Assistance Program accommodation will no longer be transitional or crisis but rather become long term.
Centacare recommends that the Government provide outreach workers in ACT Housing to provide support, information to tenants and linkages to relevant agencies and also to the private rental market. Centacare indicates that it is able to support more community based housing programs and services and highlights the need for these, particularly for disabled people. Centacare also encourages the Government to implement resources for dual diagnosis issues following the completion of study.
Government Response
The Government funds a number of counselling service providers, including ACT Community Care and ACT Mental Health, which share the demand for services. ACT Community Care counselling service has had no recent reduction in funding.
The ACT Government is committed to improving services for people with a mental illness in the ACT. The National Mental Health Report 1997 indicates that the ACT increased its spending on mental health by 20% from 1993 to 1997. Amounts of $0.150m in 1996-97, $0.250m in 1997-98 and $0.400m in 1998-99 have been provided on a recurrent basis to improve mental health services in the community. These funds have been used for the provision of community based residential support, respite care services, services for people with a dual diagnosis of mental illness and problematic substance use, and psychosocial rehabilitation.
Funding for public housing is being addressed as part of the renegotiation of the Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement. The Government is continually examining models of housing provision to ensure that they are meeting the needs of consumers. Just recently the Government established Community Housing Canberra Lt as an alternative model of community housing management and commissioned a review of CORHAP (Community Organisations Rental Housing Assistance Program) to explore more effective management options for the range of services provided under current arrangements. The Government would be pleased to consider Centacare’s application for head-lease properties under CORHAP.
ACT Housing, in cooperation with CARE Financial Counselling and Customer Credit Legal Service, has established a Housing Budget Counselling Service for public tenants and applicants who are experiencing financial difficulties. Tenants and applicants who need counselling on managing their finances in order to be entitled to public housing or to avoid losing their public housing are referred to CARE. ACT Housing has budgeted an amount of $0.050m in 1998-99 for this service. Funding has also been provided to employ a YWCA tenant support worker to assist tenants in the Allawah, Bega and Currong flats.
Christian Democratic Party - ACT Branch
The Christian Democratic Party - ACT Branch (CDP) proposes that one third of funding to ADDInc and the Methadone Program should be redirected to preventive education and rehabilitation programs. A detoxification and rehabilitation program should be funded as part of a new ACT prison and all rehabilitation programs should be community based. CDP recommends that the policy of free distribution of needles should be changed to an accountable needle exchange policy focusing on rehabilitation. It recommends a gradual reduction of the Methadone program and transferring methadone patients into drug free rehabilitation programs. CDP believes that DRIC (the Drug Referral Information Centre) consolidates drug abuse culture, is being maladministered and therefore requires an independent review.
CDP believes that 50% of all domestic violence is committed against men. While it acknowledges that women need special arrangements to protect them from violent male partners, CDP proposes that savings should be identified and $0.250m transferred from the Domestic Violence Crisis Service and associated groups to a men’s advocacy and information service. The Mensline should be transferred to this service. CDP recommends an independent review of the Domestic Violence Crisis Service to establish the cost benefit of support to women and the direct and indirect costs to affected men and families. It requests a review to determine whether women specific family services are excessively gender orientated.
CDP believes that the $0.065m grant to Workers in Sex Employment for an HIV program should be transferred to an independent drug and employment counselling service for prostitutes seeking other work. It recommends the introduction of brothel and prostitution fees to cover the cost of supervising the industry and an increase in X rated film licence fees to meet the cost of compliance. CDP recommends funding of $0.100m-$0.150m to meet the consultancy cost of undertaking family impact statements on gambling in the ACT. It proposes three to four studies each year funded through revenues received from gambling.
Government Response
The Government supports the continued use of methadone therapy because research in Australia and internationally has shown that the longer a person is maintained on methadone, the less illicit drug use occurs and criminal/anti social behaviour decreases. The Government also provides at least $1.500m per annum funding for rehabilitation and abstinence oriented treatment, and supports the inclusion of comprehensive drug and alcohol services for people in custody as part of the ACT prison program.
The aim of the needle exchange service is to reduce the spread of blood borne diseases through unsafe injecting practices and to provide a gateway to treatment and rehabilitation services. Restriction of the actual numbers of needles distributed does not support these aims. Not all illicit drug users respond in the same way to the same treatments, and managing the physical side of addiction is not sufficient. The ACT Government currently funds both abstinence and non-abstinence based programs.
There is no evidence that DRIC is in any way "consolidating the drug abuse culture". DRIC is funded to specifically work with people while they are using illicit drugs and abusing alcohol, in order to decrease the harm associated with such behaviours. It also works with people through referral to appropriate treatment and rehabilitation as they become ready to reduce or eliminate illicit and problematic drug and alcohol use. As with all contracted services, the Centre is subject to quarterly reporting on performance.
The Domestic Violence Crisis Service has recently undergone significant restructuring to move away from a gender specific service to providing a broad community response to domestic violence issues. The establishment of another gender specific service is not appropriate at this time. In the past two years, the Government has funded new services directed specifically towards men: Murringu which receives $0.010m per annum for a information/referral drop-in centre; SAMSSA (Service Assisting Male Survivors of Sexual Assault) which receives $0.080m per annum for support for male survivors of sexual assault; and the Lone Fathers’ Association which receives $0.100m for men’s crisis and accommodation services in addition to the $0.025m for its establishment. The Lone Fathers’ Association has also received $0.010m per annum for a number of years to provide information, referral, advocacy and group support. The Domestic Violence Crisis Service Mensline has been developed to provide choice to community members who are affected by domestic violence. Given resource limitations, the high costs of taking this service out of its existing infrastructure would be inappropriate.
The funding for Workers in Sex Employment is intended to reduce the harm to sex workers as part of the harm minimisation approach of the ACT Sexual Health and Blood Borne Diseases Strategic Plan.
The number of brothels and operators registered under the present registration scheme does not indicate that there are large sums to be raised from increasing the registration fees. As at June 1998, there were 18 commercial registrations and 21 private worker registrations. The current fee for registration is $200 for an initial registration and $100 to renew a registration, yielding an approximate revenue of $4,500 last financial year. At this stage, it is not proposed to shift the focus to a more restrictive regime nor to revenue generation as such a move could have adverse consequences which could undermine the objectives of the Act.
A balance needs to be struck between the amount of money raised from the X-rated film industry and possibly forcing it, due to inappropriately high fees, to operate outside the regulation of government where there are no checks and balances on material that is sold to the public. In the 1996-97 Budget, the Government increased the cost of X-rated video licences to $0.010m with a view to covering the cost of an improved monitoring regime for the industry. This increase in fees has enabled the appointment of two additional inspectors and the adoption of an improved management scheme which includes a regular inspection program of all licensed premises. The program continues to highlight issues of concern, and where appropriate, action is taken against licensees to ensure that the highest levels of compliance are achieved and maintained.
The Government does not agree that there is a need to undertake family impact statements on gambling since there is already evidence of the impact gambling has on individuals and families. It therefore seems more appropriate to focus energies and funding on direct service delivery to problem gamblers, their families and the community. In 1998-99, the Government increased its funding to Lifeline to expand services to problem gamblers. In a full year this will raise Lifeline’s funding to $0.126m.
Conservation Council of the South-East Region and Canberra Inc
The Conservation Council of the South East Region and Canberra Inc (CCSERC) believes that improving the ACT budgetary situation will allow the Government to maintain or enhance funding to environmental services.
CCSERC recommends a number of revenue and savings measures, including: imposition of a 5% levy on land rates; introduction of car parking charges to a 0.5 to 1 km radius at all town centres and increasing the cost of all day parking to $8 per day; introduction of a surcharge to enter and leave car parks during morning and evening peak periods; extension of parking charge periods to match extended daytime shopping hours; imposition of a parking levy on employers who provide free employee parking in commercial areas; removal of car provision from Senior Executive remuneration packages; introduction of parking charges for Senior Executive Service and Legislative Assembly members; replacement of vehicle registration fees by fees based on distance travelled each year; introduction of a carbon tax on fossil fuels, initially set at $8 per tonne of carbon; introduction of a 20% increase in vehicle registration fees for 4WD vehicles; and introduction of increased charges for those who do not separate waste or maximise recycling materials.
CCSERAC believes that the Government should purchase and consolidate all leases in need of redevelopment and reissue them with additional development rights at auction or public tender. Additionally, the Government should abandon rural residency since it results in substantial loses in income from development.
CCSERAC supports the maintenance of funding to Environment ACT, including indexing for inflation. This includes funding for feral animal control, weed control and the implementation of environmental strategies. CCSERAC proposes that the Government provide funding to eliminate zone charges on ACTION and introduce a flat two-hour rate, and to develop cycle lanes along key commuting roads.
Government Response
The Government does not support the introduction of an additional 5% environment levy on general rates as the amount is arbitrary and unrelated to a defined purpose or output. Moreover, the levy would be contrary to the Government’s promise to limit any increase in total rates revenue to the forecast CPI increase each year. The Government is currently considering a range of proposals to strategically address greenhouse and other environmental issues in the ACT.
Parking fees are charged at Civic and Woden because they are major business and shopping areas in the ACT and the ACT Government is responsible for the majority of surface carparks at these locations. In contrast, the majority of parking at Belconnen and Tuggeranong is owned by the private sector and the Commonwealth Government.
Parking surveys are carried out annually to measure commuter parking trends. The 1998 survey revealed that in Civic only 37% of cars parked offstreet were in ACT Government carparks. Any increase in charges in ACT Government carparks would be likely to result in commuters relocating to cheaper private carparks and suburban areas around Civic. Imposing a parking levy on employers providing free parking is not supported because development approvals require a certain number of parking spaces to be provided on site.
However, the Government is continuing to investigate ways to encourage private passenger vehicle users to transfer to environmentally benign transport models in order to reduce transport greenhouse gas emissions.
Provision of executive vehicles is in line with executive remuneration policy and practices across all public sector jurisdictions. The cost of the vehicles is part of the total employment cost attributed to executives. The vehicles are provided on the basis that they are made available for work purposes during the day (ie in effect they become pool cars). Car parking arrangements are in place to recognise particular work requirements and in many cases executives pay fees for public parking.
Charging fees for road use is supported in principle. The most effective method of road use charging is electronic road pricing where fees are charged depending on the amount of travel and for particular types of travel such as driving in congested areas. Some arrangements would need to be put in place for cross-border travel otherwise the arrangements would need to be limited to travel within any one jurisdiction. However, the technology is costly and has yet to be used on a city-wide basis anywhere in the world. Registration fees for many 4 wheel drive vehicles increased substantially (over 10%) in 1998.
The ACT Government is unable to introduce a carbon tax because the Constitution precludes states and territories from collecting excise taxes.
The purchase and consolidation of all leases in need of redevelopment is not supported because it would involve the Government in assuming all of the risk of redevelopment and that risk is probably unacceptable. A study of Rural Residential Development in the ACT was released for public comment late in 1998 and the Government is currently considering the results.
Tip fees for commercial waste were introduced in 1993 and extended to non commercial waste in 1996, and have encouraged the redirection of wastes to recycling and recovery services since recycling and recovery services are provided either free of charge or at significantly lower charges than tip fees.
The Government is committed to maintaining the ACT’s environment and in developing the budget has ensured that adequate funding levels will be made available for ongoing work and the implementation of environment strategies. Funding for vertebrate and invertebrate pest control programs will be increased.
A flat bus fare would result in a fare increase for the majority of passengers which would have a negative impact upon public transport use. The introduction of zones means the cost of travel broadly reflects the distance travelled. Onroad cycling projects have been included in the three year forward Capital Works Program, though their implementation depends upon the availability of funds. On average a further 25 km of on road cycling is provided under the annual road pavement resealing program.
Council on the Ageing (ACT) Inc
The Council on the Ageing (ACT) Inc (COTA) recognises government subsidies for aged pensioners and seniors’ card holders but believes that these benefits are largely negated by the cumulative effect of additional government fees and charges, and therefore any increase in fees and charges should be targeted at those best able to afford them.
COTA proposes a number of initiatives to promote healthy ageing, such as a slow stream convalescent facility; low cost home modifications in ACT Housing properties; development of suitable housing for older persons; programs aimed at enhancing the skills of older workers and encouraging older ACT Public Service workers to continue to work as long as is appropriate; securing an equal proportion of Home and Community Care funding from the Commonwealth in line with other states and the Northern Territory; and promotion of Canberra as a residence for retirees from Melbourne and Sydney.
COTA requests that the Government continue to support the organisation as an effective voice for older people. COTA recommends continued support for CLASP (Community Liaison Advisory Safety Program); Housing Options Adviser; management of the Seniors Card Scheme and Information Service; management of the Hughes Community Centre lease; and management of the International Year of Older Persons.
COTA notes the need for adequate funding for repair and maintenance of ACT Housing properties and age specific properties such as Abbeyfield Housing; the continued growth of seniors’ clubs in Canberra and their importance in service delivery to older persons; the need to consider the relocation of Belconnen Seniors Club to allow for continued growth; and a need for the Government to implement programs that assist older persons to remain independent.
Government Response
The main purpose of the ACT Concessions Program is to provide support for essential expenditure for pensioners and low income earners. The expansion of the concessions program to include subsidies for ACT Seniors Card Holders was an election promise which the Government fulfilled as part of the 1998-99 Budget.
While rehabilitation facilities and functions already exist within ACT public health services, the concept of slow stream rehabilitation is still being looked at in the planning context and community input into the planning process will be initiated over the next few months.
Low cost home modifications in ACT Housing properties are provided on request from tenants. Appropriate funding for repairs and maintenance of ACT Housing properties has been agreed as part of the budget process in recent years, and funds for capital upgrade, refurbishment or improvements of properties through the capital program have been approved. This funding has increased over the past few years and greater funding flexibility is being considered as part of the Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement renegotiations.
The Government recognises the special needs of older workers seeking continuing employment in the work force, however, it has to balance these needs with the requirements of age discrimination legislation and merit selection processes.
The ACT has recently negotiated a new Home and Community Care Agreement with the Commonwealth, resulting in a good financial outcome for the ACT. Growth in Home and Community Care funding is expected to be in the order of $1m in 1999-2000 and this will assist the ACT in meeting the needs of people who are elderly and people with disabilities and their carers.
The suggestion to attract retirees to Canberra has potential. However, issues surrounding the ageing population and the provision of services to increased numbers of retirees need to be considered in greater detail. The Government would welcome COTA’s further development of the idea.
The Government will maintain the level of support for CLASP in 1999-2000. The Housing Options Adviser at COTA is currently funded until September 1999 and continuation of funding will be negotiated at the expiration of the current grant.
The Government provides $0.041m to COTA for the management of the Senior’s Card Scheme, including recruitment of businesses and distribution of cards to eligible persons, and has provided additional funding, when required, to produce cards in addition to the contracted amount. The Government provides $0.077m to COTA for the provision of information and advice to clients and the Government. Contract negotiations for 1999-2000 will be commencing shortly and COTA is being considered for a three year contract in order to facilitate better planning and certainty in program development and implementation. Based on the service COTA provides, the lease for the Hughes Community Centre premises is expected to be extended during 1999 for a further five years. $0.025m is provided in 1999-2000 for the coordination and management of International Year of Older Persons activities in the ACT.
Generally, the Government does not provide particular facilities for use by seniors, however, there may be scope for using existing community facilities by contacting the different community services or the managers of ACT Government facilities. Alternatively, approaches may be made to schools in suburban areas for use of facilities on a community use arrangement.
Service agencies which become aware of individuals experiencing difficulty are encouraged to refer the individual to their local Regional Community Service, which in turn can arrange the provision of integrated in-home support. During 1998-99, the Government let tenders for $0.250m to provide integrated in-home support, and a number of community services report that they also include these type of services within their range of support.
Diabetes Australia ACT
Diabetes Australia ACT (DA-ACT) claims that there is insufficient funding of services for those suffering from diabetes, and believes there are not enough endocrinologists, diabetes educators, dietitians and podiatrists in the ACT.
DA-ACT seeks an increase in funding of 16% to $0.114m, recommends the Government commit to spending at least $1m in the upcoming financial year on services to people with diabetes, and seeks the Government’s confirmation of indicative funding of $0.350m to the ACT Diabetes Council. As well, DA-ACT suggests that the Government give close consideration to the outsourcing of all community based diabetes education to DA-ACT.
Government Response
The Government has completed an extensive ACT-wide consultation process over the past twelve months, culminating in the development of an Integrated Model for Diabetes Care in the ACT. The newly formed ACT Diabetes Council is the peak advisory body on diabetes to the ACT Department of Health and Community Care and includes representation from DA-ACT.
The Government has agreed to an additional funding allocation of $0.300m per annum from 1999-2000 for the provision of extra services for people with diabetes in the ACT. It has already been proposed that, within the additional funding allocation, an extra podiatrist and a dietitian be included in the staffing of the Integrated Diabetes Care Team.
Historically, there have been three endocrinology positions located at The Canberra Hospital. Two are currently filled on a full time basis, with the third filled on a part time basis until 30 June 1999. The Government will receive advice from the newly formed ACT Diabetes Council regarding the future need for endocrinologists and staff training in the ACT. The Government will take advice from the ACT Diabetes Council about the impact of any models of service provision on the aims of the integrated, coordinated approach to improve customer outcomes.
Epilepsy Association (ACT) Inc
The Epilepsy Association (ACT) Inc believes that government policy has left a shortfall in funding for small community organisations which impedes the success of education and awareness programs.
The Association proposes two programs to improve the lifestyles of those living with epilepsy: Firstly, an education and awareness program aimed at fostering a sense of best practice in a healthy workplace, and secondly a series of workshops on healthy living skills for people with epilepsy living in an institutionalised setting.
Government Response
The Government provides funding on the basis of financial capacity and equity. The Association is funded by the Government along with a number of other condition specific groups to promote understanding of specific conditions. The Association has received one-off funding for office support, in addition to its recurrent funding. It has also recently received $0.009m (a 47% increase) to allow the organisation to maintain service levels in light of increased costs associated with the Social and Community Services Award. The Government acknowledges that many small disability organisations rely on volunteers to maximise their services. The ACT Government has recently increased funding to Volunteering ACT to promote volunteering in the ACT and to increase small organisations’ access to volunteer support.
The Government suggests that the Association identify relevant occupational health and safety issues in the workplace and offer to provide training on a fee for service basis that would allow such issues to be addressed in association with the employer’s own funding resources. The Commonwealth has responsibility for the employment of people with disabilities, so the Association may wish to raise these issues with the relevant Commonwealth department.
The provision of training and information on healthy living in an institution is the responsibility of the institution concerned. Most such institutions have resources to provide staff training and development. The Government suggests the Association consider marketing itself as having the skills and expertise to provide training in the institutional (and community) setting.
Ginninderra Catchment Group
The Ginninderra Catchment Group believes that the budget should be based on the ACT’s State of the Environment Report and that the implementation of the recommendations of the Commissioner for the Environment should be a key result area.
The Group requests that the Government resource the Group’s strategy for the management of human activities in the Belconnen-Hall-Gungahlin area and provide an additional $1.300m to help fund a number of proposals to strengthen the community Landrace-government partnership. The Group suggests that land and water degradation could be more effectively prevented through strengthening of the environmental impact assessment process and through stronger contractual and enforcement arrangements. The Group proposes that at least $0.150m be spent on planning and review activities.
The Group identifies a number of areas where government revenue could be increased, such as ceasing subsidies for new businesses; surrendering and re-auctioning of leases where major changes of activity are involved; gradually introducing environmental components in relevant charges; and decreasing expenditure on traffic regulation engineering.
Government Response
The Government agrees that the State of the Environment Report is a useful document to guide the development of the budget. Eleven key result areas (KRAs) were developed at a whole of government level as part of the last budget and their prime purpose is to focus government purchasing decisions on issues spanning all services and policies affecting the community in an effort to work towards longer term outcomes. Recommendations by the Commissioner for the Environment were incorporated into the KRAs.
Issues relating to the environment are important and are being examined. However, environmental accounting is at a formative stage with no agreement yet on a consistent method which can be applied nationally. The ACT is required to present its financial reports in a manner which complies with generally accepted accounting principles in the accounting standards and which are consistent with other jurisdictions, or risk qualified audits and external criticism.
The Government congratulates the Ginninderra Catchment Group on the completion of its strategy and agrees that a strong community-government partnership is vital in effectively managing the natural environment. Environment ACT is currently conducting a project, in cooperation with community representatives, which will identify ways to further strengthen this partnership. The Government receives many requests for funding from local conservation groups and the contestable grants program is the most equitable way of distributing funds. In addition, land and infrastructure works within the Ginninderra catchment will continue to be funded by the Urban Services Works Program.
The Government is committed to moving towards a more comprehensive catchment based approach to water degradation problems and to this end, a draft Integrated Catchment Management Discussion Paper was released for comment in early 1999. In addition to its policy of promoting efficient use of resources, the ACT is obliged by agreements, including the National Competition Policy and the National Greenhouse Strategy, to ensure that efficient prices are paid for energy and water. Efficient pricing includes reference to the cost of rectifying impacts on the environment and providing for future environmental costs. Charges that reflect these costs are gradually being introduced through both the independent pricing regulatory arrangements and through policy initiatives.
Gungahlin Community Council Inc
The Gungahlin Community Council Inc strongly supports the proposed ACT Capital Works Program for 1999-2000. The Council also recommends the extension of Flemington Road to the town centre and the construction of a community hall in Palmerston to provide services such as childcare and after school care.
The Council believes the Government should provide funding to Gungahlin for a sporting complex, for childcare facilities, and for encouraging an employment base which includes one or more ACT Government agencies in the Gungahlin town centre.
Government Response
A forward design for the extension of Flemington Road in 2000-01 has been proposed and the project will be considered in the context of the next budget. The construction of a permanent community and youth centre in the town centre is a high priority for the Government and replacement of the community hall in Palmerston may be considered in future capital works programs. The Government has endorsed a long term plan for the inclusion of a sport and leisure facilities precinct within the Gungahlin town centre complex and development is expected to commence once population growth in the area reaches an appropriate planning level.
There is currently a long day care centre provided in both Nicholls and Ngunnawal and at this stage the Government does not plan to provide additional child care places in Gungahlin. Rather, it expects that the private sector will meet the needs of the community as required. The ACT Industry Development Program and the New Enterprise Loan Guarantee Scheme are two recent initiatives which are part of a suite of programs aimed at assisting small business development and employment growth in the ACT.
Home Based Business Association - Australian Capital Region
The Home Based Business Association - Australian Capital Region (HBBA) welcomes the ACT Pathways to Successful Business Development and believes it rebalances some of the emphasis in ACT business development policies, but more needs to be done to increase the resources available for the sector through these and other services. HBBA recommends a number of measures to support home-based businesses.
Government Response
In 1998-99 a postal survey of 12,000 home-based businesses in the ACT and region was conducted, but a response rate of 4% means that its conclusions are unreliable. Two programs available to home-based businesses are the 1999 Small Business Mentoring Scheme and the New Enterprise Loans Guarantee Scheme.
Two new projects have been initiated recently which are of particular interest to home-based businesses: the establishment of a business reference service from the Civic Library, and a 12-month trial partnership between the ACT Library Service and HBBA.
Housing Industry Association Ltd
The Housing Industry Association Ltd (HIA) says that the performance of the local economy, with unemployment levels below the national level and final demand levels exceeding the national level, is a testament to the Government’s economic management. HIA recommends that the Government adopt a compensation plan developed by HIA to address the issue of the introduction of a GST and its impact on the building industry. HIA seeks reform of the ACT Planning system in the national context and a comprehensive review of the statutory plans. In addition a detailed examination of the planning assessment process should be undertaken in consultation with industry.
HIA commends the Government’s efforts to introduce Private Certification for building approvals, and recommends an ongoing review process to assess the new system. The Budget should provide funding to meet the public interest component of Building Regulation. HIA seeks the Government’s acknowledgment of the value of strategically managing land supply, demonstrated by the allocation of resources to maintain an appropriate supply of land under changing market conditions.
HIA seeks a review of the effectiveness of the KickStart Program with a view to supporting the reintroduction of a similar house purchase assistance scheme in the future. It opposes the introduction of a training levy for the local housing and construction industry, claiming that such a levy would be unsustainable in the market place. HIA urges the Government to reconsider attempts to reform workers’ compensation.
Government Response
There are a number of obstacles which prevent the Government adopting the HIA compensation plan proposals. The current tax package is Commonwealth driven, and the ACT has no policy control over it. The ACT has also agreed in principle to the Commonwealth’s First Home Owners Scheme and acceptance of GST revenues, and it would be inappropriate to adopt a different approach from the Commonwealth and the other states and the Northern Territory.
In terms of the planning system reform, the ACT Code for Residential Development (ACTCode) is currently being reviewed. The Land Act is kept under constant review and a proposal has been prepared for the review of the Territory Plan. The Government is taking a leadership role in the national review of planning and development guidelines and controls, seeking harmonisation and a competitive approach. It is working to improve its assessment processes, and is undertaking a comprehensive review of planning structures and development processes.
The Government’s goal is to ensure the ACT offers a nationally competitive planning and development system, in terms of the time, cost and quality outcomes, whilst facilitating the high quality sustainable outcomes expected in the ACT. The HIA is represented on the Development Assessment forum which is providing direct feedback on the implementation of these reforms.
The Government has asked for an ongoing review of the new private certification scheme for building work and has also committed to a comprehensive review of all the building, plumbing and electrical certification processes by the end of 1999. HIA will be included in the review process. While combined government and private certifier fees on projects with a low building cost may have risen when compared with the old Building Application fees, there are also many instances in which the combined fees are now lower.
An internal review of the KickStart Program is currently being undertaken. In 1998 the Government consulted with industry on support for a building industry training levy and found that there was not general industry support. The Government does not intend to reintroduce this discussion and there are no plans to reintroduce a training fund from the Long Service Leave Levy funds. The Government is examining ways to further develop skills recognition and identification of training needed for existing workers in all industries. The Government has been analysing options for reviewing private sector workers’ compensation in the ACT and the issues involved will be subject to an intensive consultation process.
Marymead Child and Family Centre
The Marymead Child and Family Centre recommends that the Government increase its investment in the long term containment of foster care costs through supporting a strong foster care culture. It recommends a number of measures to improve support for foster carers, including: automatic CPI rate increases; triennial funding for community service organisations; development of the ‘full-service school’ model; provision of specialised services to cater for young people with extreme behaviours; and provision of long term case management, planning and allocation of funds for the small group of children and families with clearly identified extreme and ongoing support needs.
Government Response
Foster Care payments are generally increased according to the CPI and a 1% CPI adjustment has been applied to all Foster Care payments from 1 January 1999. Many of the issues raised in Marymead’s submission, including the issue of triennial funding, are being considered in the context of the Government’s response to the Substitute Care Review.
Master Builders Association of the ACT
The Master Builders Association of the ACT (MBA) acknowledges the tight fiscal position facing the Government and the need for the Government to address the operating loss that now exists. MBA believes that the business community requires the Government to continue to pursue a reform agenda so that the ACT can develop a strong and vibrant mixed economy.
MBA believes that there is a need for an effective Capital Works Program to establish and maintain public infrastructure and ameliorate the effects of the economic cycle upon the building and construction industry. The MBA recommends an increase in funding to ensure that an effective road maintenance program is in place. It encourages the ACT Government to continue lobbying the Commonwealth Government for funds to duplicate the Barton Highway within the ACT.
MBA recommends that the proposed Building Program that currently exists in the Capital Works Program proceed. MBA is anxious that the Government implement all the recommendations of the Ernst and Young Review of Planning and Land Management. The Government should identify further opportunities and encourage investors into the market as well as encouraging redevelopment projects. MBA calls for ACT Housing to develop a process of dealing with industry in joint ventures or to relieve itself of surplus stock. ACT Housing needs to keep sourcing capital from the market.
MBA welcomes Private Certification but encourages the Government to review the current Building Levy so that cost benefits to the industry are not lost in excessive fees and charges. MBA looks forward to the Government’s promised review of workers’ compensation. MBA believes that the Change of Use Charge is an inhibitor of economic growth, and supports the further reduction of this charge from 75% to 50% or lower.
While MBA commends the Government on attracting interstate business it believes the Government should also focus on attracting more light manufacturing industries and on promoting tourism to create employment opportunities for youth. MBA recommends that the Government pursue greater Commonwealth funding for youth employment and training and also examine the situation of Group Training companies that employ apprentices.
Government Response
The 1999-2000 Capital Works Program includes spending of almost $90m, comprising $61m relating to new works projects and $29m towards works in progress. This is equivalent to the amount allocated for capital works last year.
The 1999-2000 program also identifies some privately financed projects including the ACT Prison ($32m) and the Mitchell Resource Recovery and Transfer - Stage 2 ($4m). The total amount of public sector capital works expenditure including non budget financed projects is therefore $108m. Within the financial constraints placed on the Government, road and stormwater maintenance will be targeted to strategic assets. The Government is introducing a Streetsmart Program of $3m over three years to address the maintenance backlog.
The Commonwealth Government appears to be sympathetic to the ACT Government’s lobbying for funds to duplicate the Barton Highway, although no commitment to funding has been provided at this stage. The Government has endorsed the major findings of the Ernst and Young Review of Planning and Land Management which are aimed at simplifying and adding greater transparency to Planning and Land Management processes.
The issue of dealing with industry and reviewing housing stock is being addressed as part of ACT Housing’s Strategic Asset Management Plan.
The Building Levy in many instances results in payments 50% lower than would have been received under the old Building Application system, although the Government acknowledges that combined government and private certifier fees on projects with a low building cost may have risen. The Government has been analysing options for reviewing private sector workers’ compensation in the ACT. On completion of the analysis phase, the issues involved will be subject to an intensive consultation process. The specific concerns raised by MBA will be considered as part of that process.
The ACT Government recognises the need to build a diversified economy and has built into the 1999-2000 Budget a program to develop advanced technology, light and clean manufacturing industries. In the 1998-99 Budget the Government committed an additional $6m over three years to tourism for marketing and promoting the ACT in the lead up to and beyond the 2000 Olympics and the Centenary of Federation celebrations.
The ACT Government is pursuing Commonwealth funds for youth employment and training through all available schemes. The operation of ACT Group Training Companies was reviewed in 1998. However, the argument that Group Training Companies which employ apprentices are disadvantaged in relation to those companies which employ trainees was not accepted as justifying the relatively high cost of existing ACT companies. In addition, the new funding arrangements encourage the established Group Training Companies to diversify their client base and to move into non trade areas (traineeships) as well as their traditional apprenticeship roles.
Professor Nicholls will present his report on the review of the Change of Use Charge later this year. Extensive consultation with interest groups has been undertaken and the views of the business community will be taken into account in determining the Government’s response to the report’s recommendations.
Mature Aged Clubs Combined
While recognising that many of their concerns have been addressed, the Mature Aged Clubs Combined remains concerned about safe, low cost housing for older persons; good quality health services; easy access to public transport; and a better quality of life for older citizens.
Government Response
During the 1997-98 Budget negotiations the Government committed to the provision within three years of an additional 200 units suitable for accommodating older people. The Commonwealth and the ACT Governments agree that there is a need for national commitment, in partnership with clinicians and consumers, to health care safety and quality improvement. The focus on quality is also reinforced in the new five year Australian Health Care Agreement for the ACT that replaces the previous Medicare Agreement. Regarding transport, there are 27 fully accessible buses in operation and all new buses purchased will be fully accessible. Funding has been set aside for the progressive upgrading of bus stops and interchanges to make them fully accessible.
Motor Trades Association ACT Ltd
While the Motor Trades Association ACT Ltd (MTA) generally endorses the Government’s key result areas, it believes that the Government’s policies and initiatives must seek to minimise business costs in order to create demand for labour and economic growth. MTA commends the Government’s policy on disused service station sites, the lifting of the moratorium on multi-site franchising of service stations and the completion of the approved vehicle inspection stations system.
MTA urges the Government to support initiatives regarding temperature corrected wholesale supply of petrol ("shrinkage"). It believes that the ACT is at a special disadvantage in this matter and that there is potential for trading losses to be particularly high in the ACT.
The Association supports the development of the code of practice for motor vehicle repairers and recommends that the code become operational within the next few months. It also reaffirms its support for the ‘pink slip’ system (a proposed system for protection of consumers buying used cars privately) to be made a high priority this year.
MTA expresses concern about a number of issues, including the annual renewal of dealer licences; review of the ACT Motor Vehicle Dealers Compensation Fund; the delay in introducing the online dealer registration scheme in full; levels of motor vehicle testing; and amendments to the Motor Traffic Amendment Bill (Novice Motor Cycle Riders).
Government Response
There are many differing views on the subject of temperature corrected wholesale supply of petrol. Before any legislation were to be introduced into the ACT, a cost-benefit analysis would be essential in order to clearly determine the impact this issue has locally.
The Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Industry Code of Practice is in its final draft stages. MTA’s proposals concerning the ‘pink slip’ system, the requirement for Motor Vehicle Dealers to demonstrate financial viability, and the review of the Motor Vehicle Dealers Compensation Fund will be pursued as part of the review of the Sale of Motor Vehicles Act 1977 to commence later this year. Consultation with MTA and other relevant stakeholders will take place throughout the review.
The dealer online registration scheme is maintained in pilot mode. TRIPS redevelopment is currently under consideration, including investigation of other more advanced service delivery mechanisms. The Government does not agree that more motor vehicle inspections are necessary; also, increasing inspection frequency is not cost effective.
Motorcycle rider legislation was debated and passed in the Assembly on 23 March 1999. Motorcycle riders who are on learner licences or in the first 12 months of a provisional licence may now not ride a motorcycle that has a power-to-weight ratio greater than 150 kilowatts per tonne. The proposal to restrict engine capacity was not agreed by the Assembly.
National Council of Women of ACT Inc
The National Council of Women of ACT Inc urges the Government to continue taking a long term view in determining priorities, and applauds the Government for reducing the operating loss.
The Council recommends that: increased resources be made available to ensure the early diagnosis and support of cases of specific learning difficulties within schools; a separate convalescent facility be established for older people leaving acute care situations; and consideration be given to the provision of a detox/rehabilitation unit specifically for drug users under 18 who are seeking help.
Government Response
Approximately $5m is allocated to the K-10 Learning Assistance Program which supports students with literacy and numeracy difficulties. An important component of this program is Reading Recovery, a one-to-one intensive teaching program where students identified as being at risk at the beginning of their second year of school receive a supplementary program of high quality instruction. The Government allocated an additional $0.400m in 1998 for early intervention programs to support students identified as being at risk at the end of their first year of schooling.
Convalescent beds already exist in the public hospitals and are used when a patient is not yet fit to return to their home. Elderly people who have been admitted to ACT public hospitals would be unlikely to meet the criteria for early discharge. It is the role of the Community Care Link Program and community liaison nurses within the public hospitals to ensure that home care is available to elderly persons and to others who are discharged from the hospital but who are not able to yet fully care for themselves.
The Government is pleased that a residential rehabilitation facility for youth will be established in the ACT under Commonwealth National Illicit Drug Strategy Non Government Organisation Treatment Grants funding announced in March 1999. This facility will be established in partnership between Assisting Drug Dependents Incorporated (ADDInc) and the Ted Noffs Foundation in NSW and will provide residential rehabilitation for eight people aged under 18, at any one time. The facility will also provide an aftercare component.
North Canberra Community Council Inc
The North Canberra Community Council Inc believes that the community should have more input into the budget process, that the consultation process should be initiated earlier than in recent years, and that it should include some real choices.
Although the Council supports being positive about the economy it believes that the public needs to be told the "true" position of the economy. The Council believes that the fostering of local and regional small and middle production and industry should be given priority. The Council believes that the level of use of consultants and consultancies for political purposes is not acceptable. It also questions the value of the Office of Asset Management to the general community.
The Council questions the viability of the revitalisation of Civic and suggests that the "Our City" Project is more than the community can afford.
Government Response
The annual budget consultation process demonstrates the Government’s continuing commitment to community participation in policy and service development. The process will be reviewed in the light of the recommendations of the Pettit Report.
The recent media coverage of positive aspects of the ACT economy is based on economic facts presented by a number of agencies, including the ABS, none of which has any vested interest in overstating the strength of the ACT economy. The Government is committed to creating employment opportunities for all Canberrans and has set aside significant funds in 1999-2000 towards the development of industry sectors such as IT, advanced technology, education, environment, information centres and business services, as well as the development of light manufacturing.
The "Our City" discussion paper and the works being undertaken to revitalise Civic aim to consolidate Civic’s position as Canberra’s pre-eminent town centre. Works undertaken by the Government to refurbish the public spaces in Civic are being funded over a number of years and the public response to the upgraded spaces confirms the need for and value of these projects.
Consultants are engaged in accordance with relevant guidelines which ensure that the Government obtains best value for money in their engagement, and are used where specific technical and professional expertise is not available in the public sector. In recent years there has been a significant decline in expenditure on consultants of $0.238m (3.6%) from 1996-97 to 1997-98.
Rather than removing important aspects from public scrutiny, the Office of Asset Management has been created to maximise use of the ACT’s assets where it can be demonstrated that there is a net public benefit to the ACT and where there is consistency with planning requirements.
Property Owners Association of the ACT
The Property Owners Association of the ACT Inc commends the Government for not increasing rates by more than CPI. However it recommends that an adjustment should be made each year for the difference between projected and actual CPI. The Association believes that the implementation of the Rates Review has been slow and the fixed portion of rates should reach 50% of total rates revenue promptly. A preferred method of increasing the fixed portion of the rates charge would be a fixed garbage charge since this contains a standard cost per household and is not related to land value.
The Association believes a shortage of rental housing in the ACT is largely due to the high cost of rates and land tax. It believes that a fairer distribution of the land tax burden could be achieved by expanding the land tax base whilst limiting the total increase to CPI. Two methods of making land tax more equitable would be broadening the tax base by making residential homes used as places of business (eg doctors) subject to a tax; and by mirroring the rates system in having the same fixed component as well as a variable component.
Government Response
It is standard budgetary practice, both in the public and private sectors, for budgeted expenditures to be tied to, and appropriated on the basis of, budgeted revenues. Therefore it is not possible to make adjustments to revenue estimates after the conclusion of the financial year to allow for the actual increase in CPI.
The suggestion that the increase of the fixed rates charge be accelerated to reach the 50% of rating revenue is not supported because it would result in large annual rates increases for properties with land valuations at the lower end of the scale. The cost of providing waste management is already included as a component of the fixed rates charge and so the suggestion to impose a separate garbage collection charge is not supported.
The application of the NSW land tax system in the ACT would severely reduce the ACT’s land tax base and revenue. To compensate, the Government would be forced to significantly increase land tax rates. The imposition of land tax on residential properties that have an approved ‘Home Business’ has been considered and rejected by the Government since the current small number and valuation base of properties used for ‘Home Business’ would result in the administrative cost far outweighing any additional land tax revenue generated. The suggestion that the land tax system should mirror the rates system is not supported. While the fixed charge component is appropriate for general rates to maintain a user pays charge for the provision of specific municipal services, the introduction of a fixed charge component for land tax is not appropriate as it would distort the land tax system as a progressive taxation measure.
Re-Employ Active Mature People ACT Inc
Re-Employ Active Mature People ACT Inc (REAMP) recommends increased funding for the New Futures in Small Business Program and suggests the Program be better advertised amongst disadvantaged groups. REAMP requests modest grants to ensure that organisations representing disadvantaged groups can publicise such programs.
REAMP recommends a cash prize competition for people over 40 for marketing Canberra with emphasis on the resource of mature aged talent. It also requests a series of Mentoring Information Workshops to provide information on what mentoring involves and the benefits accrued from it. REAMP believes that there are mature aged unemployed people who could benefit from additional ACT assistance to access the Job Network because they are not eligible for appropriate Commonwealth assistance.
REAMP recommends that funding of the Upskilling Program at the Canberra Institute of Technology be increased to provide a 50% increase in the number of places for mature unemployed. REAMP supports the SelfStart Program. REAMP recommends increased funding of 10% to increase the proportion of mature age job seekers able to participate in the Annual Employment Program. REAMP recommends that the funding for the three Open Access Centres in the ACT be increased from $0.300m to at least $0.330m.
REAMP suggests that there is room for an annual series of workshops, costed at $0.012m, to help mature aged people explore the possibilities for self employment. As well, REAMP proposes that the Government should fund an evaluation of all projects and schemes run throughout 1999.
REAMP recommends that the Government support action under the Mental Health Promotion and Prevention National Action Plan and in particular pilot projects related to unemployment, with special reference to the health and wellbeing of mature aged unemployed and their families.
Government Response
Funding for the New Futures in Small Business Program was increased in the 1998-99 Budget and this level of funding will be sustained in 1999-2000. The Government agrees that it is important to market its employment programs to the public, and is about to mount a program of seminars across Canberra. The new employment pathways package is currently being disseminated to mature age groups including REAMP. Service providers such as the Open Access Centres offer shopfront locations across Canberra.
The Government undertakes a range of marketing initiatives that emphasis Canberra’s many advantages, including its human resources. The Government will consider REAMP’s mentoring proposal within the funding for Open Access Centres which was increased in 1998-99 and will be maintained in 1999-2000.
The Joblink Program is duplicated by Commonwealth providers and will not be continued. The Commonwealth Government advises that its providers are placing hundreds of people per month in jobs, and that anyone may register under the Flex 1 category irrespective of age.
The Canberra Institute of Technology is the contracted provider for Upskilling and has received significant Commonwealth funding for literacy and language programs. All target groups seem well catered for in this area and there is little justification for an increase in funding. The SelfStart Program is a new program in 1998-99 and its effectiveness will be assessed in 1999-2000. The Annual Employment Program complements other Commonwealth and ACT Government programs. Demand can be met within current funding levels.
The Government sees some merit in REAMP’s proposed Workshops on Self Employment, and will consider funding a pilot program should funds become available. Evaluation is part of the service provision and all providers are contractually obliged to meet clearly defined performance outcomes relating directly to employment. A report on the 1999-2000 outcomes will be developed.
The Government strongly supports the Mental Health Promotion and Prevention National Action Plan released in January 1999. The Plan provides strategies for improving mental health by targeting health strategies at groups and individuals at risk.
Service Assisting Male Survivors of Sexual Assault
The Service Assisting Male Survivors of Sexual Assault (SAMSSA) suggests that the current level of government funding of $0.080m through the Community Services Grants is insufficient for sustainable service provision and recommends that the Government increase funding both for community based support services and for mental health services to support male survivors of sexual assault.
SAMSSA recommends the development of a Strategic Plan for Men’s Services in the ACT, but emphasises that services for men should not be established in competition with services for women, Indigenous men and women, gay and bisexual men or people from diverse cultural backgrounds. SAMSSA supports the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre initiative for Aboriginal women and children who are survivors of sexual assault and recommends that the Government resource a similar project through SAMSSA which addresses the issue of Aboriginal men who have suffered sexual assault.
Government Response
SAMSSA was established and funded in response to a specific need for a specific target group and needs to be seen as part of the broader community support for men. The Government’s priority is to provide a range of needed services, though not necessarily gender based. The sector review for men’s services being undertaken by the Government will be considering the best future options within limited resources. Given limited resources, there is a need to improve links between services and to better utilise existing community infrastructure.
The Canberra Rape Crisis Centre and SAMSSA should continue to address sexual assault in the Indigenous community as part of their services. Within the available funds, the most effective option for addressing the need to respond to sexual assault in Indigenous communities is the provision of special training for workers in existing services.
Toora Single Wimmin’s Shelter Inc
Toora Single Wimmin’s Shelter Inc supports the Government’s approach to identifying outcomes and encourages the Government to continue seeking budget input from stakeholders. It calls on the Government to determine resource allocation in line with policy direction, to undertake an analysis of revenue and expenditure and to deliver explicit criteria for financial strategies.
Toora Single Wimmin’s Shelter recommends that the Government fund a number of services to address the needs of women with chemical dependency. These services include an immediate post detoxification support service for women and their accompanying children; services for benzodiazepine dependent women; the expansion of the WIREDD (Women’s Information, Referral, Resources and Education on Drugs and Dependency) service; and alcohol and drug services specifically targeting young people and Indigenous communities.
Toora Single Wimmin’s Shelter recommends that the Government adequately and appropriately resource services for women with problematic mental health and/or with a dual diagnosis. These services include a coordinated response for such clients, long term semi supported accommodation services and Indigenous specific services.
Toora Single Wimmin’s Shelter expresses concern about the availability of safe, secure, affordable and appropriate housing for women in refuges and in supported accommodation services, and calls on the Government to articulate policy appropriate to the ACT. Toora Single Wimmin’s Shelter recommends that the Government reintroduce a modified version of the Single Share Accommodation Scheme; maintain the level and diversity of housing stock; increase the housing options for women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness; and allocate adequate resources for ACT Housing maintenance and repairs.
Government Response
The Government has a strong commitment to community consultation and to testing its priorities in terms of the demand and social need for services. This of course has to be balanced against the community’s capacity to fund these services and the need for them to represent good value.
The ACT Government currently funds WIREDD and other alcohol and drug agencies. Additional funding of $0.300m to expand the education and outreach functions of WIREDD has also been provided under Commonwealth National Illicit Drug Strategy Non-Government Organisation Treatment Grants funding. A number of strategies for providing services for benzodiazepine dependent women, especially for migrant women, are identified in the draft ACT Drug Strategy 1999.
The Government provided Toora/WIREDD with $0.058m in 1998-99 and similar amounts in previous years in recognition of its valuable role in supporting women with alcohol and other drug problems.
The Government currently funds ADDInc to provide Late Night DRIC (through its core funding) and the Junction ($0.100m) as specific services to address the drug and alcohol concerns of young people. It also funds a drug and alcohol worker at Gugan Gulwan Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Youth Service ($0.050m) and has continued to fund the Men Mentoring Men Program through the Woden Community Services ($0.020m) which includes mentoring for young people with alcohol and other drug related problems.
A consultation to develop a best practice service model for people with a dual diagnosis in the ACT has recently been completed and will inform the development of appropriate services in the community for women with problematic mental health and/or dual diagnosis. The project has involved considerable consultation with clients and service providers.
The Government is committed to the improvement of mental health services for young people and for persons from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds. With the assistance of the Commonwealth, the ACT has provided funding of $0.100m to improve the skills of a range of professionals who work with young people, in order to provide better early intervention for those with mental health issues who may be considering suicide.
In the 1998-99 Budget, funding was provided for the employment of mental health workers within the Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service to enable the provision of more culturally appropriate mental health services for the Indigenous population of the ACT. The workers are supported by ACT Mental Health Services for their clinical supervision. In addition, the Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service will be the base for a mental and emotional wellbeing counsellor funded as part of the Commonwealth's response to the Bringing Them Home Report. Further, ACT Mental Health Services is in the process of employing an Aboriginal mental health officer to improve access for Indigenous people to all levels of mental health services.
The issue of long term semi supported accommodation services for women with problematic mental health and/or dual diagnosis will be discussed as a possible community housing option. The Government is developing links between its housing purchasers to strengthen policy consistency for accommodation and support in the ACT. The Single Share Accommodation Scheme is still operating. The maintenance of the level and diversity of housing stock, and increasing the housing options for women who are affected by homelessness, are being considered in Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement negotiations. Funding for repairs and maintenance at a reasonable level is agreed as part of the budget negotiations, and additional funds are also provided for the capital upgrade, improvement and refurbishment of properties. This issue is also being addressed as part of ACT Housing’s Strategic Asset Management Plan.
Tourism Council Australia - Canberra Region Branch
The Tourism Council Australia - Canberra Region Branch recommends that the Government increase the Canberra Tourism and Events Corporation (CTEC) funding for marketing, promotion, research, development and events management. The Council strongly supports the continuation of the Convention Loan Scheme and notes the need for the Government and the business and tourism sectors to maximise the tourism opportunities arising from the 2000 Olympics and the Centenary of Federation. The Council also recommends that the Government review the ACT’s internal transport system to ensure that it complements the benefits gained from improved access to the ACT via the regional transport hub and the speedrail.
The Council suggests that the Government and tourism community establish a task force to research and develop strategies to ensure that the ACT receives recognition in both international and domestic markets. The Council also urges the Government to support the domestic tourism market (80% of the ACT tourism market) by contributing to the Commonwealth Government’s Domestic Tourism Initiative.
The Council encourages continued support of accredited tourism organisations, as well as accredited training and education services. The Council suggests that apprenticeship programs should receive priority funding, and that a joint government-industry Education Marketing Fund be established for the marketing and promotion of Canberra’s tourism training and education institutions.
Government Response
The Government has committed an additional $6m to tourism over three years in order to promote the ACT and region in the lead up to and beyond the 2000 Olympics and the Centenary of Federation celebrations. The ACTION network introduced in January 1999 provides a 20% increase in services including a route to the Airport terminal travelling from Belconnen down Northbourne Ave past many hotels/apartments and through the City Interchange.
CTEC works closely with the Office of Business Development and Tourism in developing complementary marketing programs which are based on ongoing market research and evaluation and which are designed to promote Canberra as a world class tourism and business destination.
The Government spent over $0.522m in 1998-99 to seed fund new and existing events through the Events Development Fund, and funds several substantial annual attractions. It is also envisaged that additional events funding will be available through the Olympic and Centenary of Federation fund. The Convention Assistance Loan Scheme will continue to be supported.
A number of industry based committees provide input to CTEC for campaign and marketing initiatives that benefit the ACT. The Government contributes to the funding of the Bureau of Tourism Research and is represented on the National Tourism Research Committee. The emerging view suggests that the tourism sector needs to increase the level of self funding for research and rely less on government and community funding.
The Government, through CTEC, supports domestic marketing initiatives. Of the $6m provided to CTEC over three years, $1.5m is for the purpose of enhancing existing marketing activities undertaken by CTEC.
Introduction of Tourism and Hospitality Training Packages is a priority in 1999-2000. These packages will make training more flexible and responsive to workplace needs and will broaden the range of qualifications and training pathways available. Targeted programs to increase training for cooks will be implemented. As well, Tourism and Hospitality training are priority areas in colleges. This training will continue to expand under strategic programs managed by the two sectors and supported by national funding. Marketing of ACT tourism education and training services is in place as part of broader marketing strategies. ACT Registered Training Organisations are also now able, under national agreements, to market and provide training nationally if they wish. CTEC has committed $0.050m to the Council for a regional accreditation program. Importantly, there is a strong feeling within the tourism industry that accreditation should be industry driven.
The ACT Government is working, in a joint initiative with the Commonwealth, on a "Streamlining the Licence Approval Process" project in the tourism and hospitality industry in the ACT. The project, which includes wide industry involvement and consultation, will systematically examine all licence and approval processes in the industry with the objective of deleting unnecessary controls and streamlining necessary controls.
Tuggeranong Community Arts Association Inc
The Tuggeranong Community Arts Association Inc (TCAA) acknowledges the positive effect of government funding and community support for the Tuggeranong Arts Centre.
TCAA requests a modest increase on the 1998-99 level of funding to allow the purchase of some urgently needed resources that would increase the Centre’s attractiveness to hirers.
Government Response
artsACT has recently sought a management plan for the Centre from TCAA which will identify key outcomes for the Government and the community of TCAA’s management of the Centre. artsACT is exploring avenues to assist TCAA with its urgent equipment needs through the Equipment Sub Category of the funding program.
Tuggeranong Community Council Inc
The Tuggeranong Community Council Inc believes that the Government must reduce the operating loss and that this could be achieved through the running of a Lottery. It also recommends the development of tourism attractions including the outer heritage properties such as Tuggeranong Homestead. The Council supports attracting more sporting events to the ACT, particularly motor racing.
The Council appreciates the promise of the new youth centre at Lanyon but believes that the issue of youth sport needs to be addressed in the Tuggeranong area. It suggests that some schools should be combined to save money. Empty schools could be rented to local organisations but no school should be closed permanently as the Council believes they could be needed in the future. The Council also believes that the cost of children’s bus fares is of concern, and that passenger and driver safety must be paramount.
The Council believes that the Tuggeranong area does not require any more housing at present. It recommends that land be developed so that sporting groups have facilities and for small business such as the Bunnings project. The Council believes that wages at the top end of the Public Service are too high and the Government should rely less on the use of consultants. It recommends placing greater focus on long term permanent employment schemes for youth and people over 40.
The Council is concerned about The Canberra Hospital service provision. In addition it believes that shooting galleries in the ACT would bring drug users to the area from other states.
The Council is pleased with the new police station and the way police are working in the area, but requests a higher level of police visibility on the beat. The Council believes that funds for roads should be kept for major projects, although some road markings and signs need repair.
Government Response
An ACT lottery operated here some years ago but the ACT does not have the population base to support its own lottery. Under the revenue sharing agreements the ACT receives approximately $13m annually from ACT subscriptions to interstate lottery products. This amount is considerably more than the ACT could achieve from operating its own lottery in isolation or in addition to the interstate products currently sold here.
The Canberra Tourism and Events Corporation’s new website includes all attractions in the ACT open to the public, including heritage sites. The Government’s funding commitment to Futsal will reduce from $0.040m in 1999-2000 to $0.030m in 2000-01 which gives the event time to find alternative sponsorship. The Government agrees with the Council about the desirability of attracting motor sports to Canberra. Sporting, recreation and leisure needs in the Lanyon Valley are currently being investigated through the Lanyon Valley Recreational Needs Feasibility Study.
Since early 1996, remuneration for executives in the ACT Public Service has been determined by the independent ACT Remuneration Tribunal. Its determinations are not disallowable in the Assembly as this would bring a ‘political’ judgment to apply. The Government engages consultants in accordance with guidelines which ensure that the Government obtains best value for money in their engagement, and consultants are used where specific technical and professional expertise is not available in the public sector. There has been a significant decline in expenditure on consultants of $0.238m (3.6%) from 1996-97 to 1997-98.
In August 1998, the Minister for Health and Community Care released a document describing his directions for health and community care in the ACT called "Setting the Agenda: A Healthy Community". The major theme from this document is the emphasis placed on establishing partnerships to improve the health and wellbeing of all ACT residents. The Canberra Hospital will benefit from an increased focus on patient safety and quality as indicated in the recently signed Australian Health Care Agreement.
School amalgamations could be an option with community support. The Government views school closures as a last resort option for dealing with falling enrolments and one which should only be considered after the social and financial costs, and benefits of various options, have been evaluated with the communities. Some surplus space in government schools is already leased to local organisations.
The release of the remaining home sites in Tuggeranong (1300+ dwellings) will support existing businesses, result in better utilisation of existing open space and schools, make fuller use of the roads and the hydraulic infrastructure provided, provide increased employment and provide a significant return to the ACT. The Government is supportive of existing businesses and initiatives to increase long term employment opportunities in Tuggeranong. The Council has been a leader in a significant master study presently being undertaken of the Lake Tuggeranong Foreshores, and its contributions are essential to achieving the best possible outcomes.
In relation to roads, priority is given to linemarking or sign post maintenance where safety is a consideration. The Government supports the Council’s view on a greater police presence, and police visibility will be increased in the area through a range of initiatives designed to inhibit opportunistic crime and anti social behaviour.
ACTION currently provides an accessible bus service between Woden and Belconnen through the City, and the number of accessible routes will be expanded as additional accessible buses are purchased. The new longer routes were fully endorsed by the drivers and Transport Workers Union prior to the introduction of the new network. Student bus fares are set at 35% of the adult fare (an increase from 25%), with a concession all zone ticket available for families on low incomes. The Government has requested the Independent Pricing Commissioner to consider the cost of public transport services and an appropriate fare structure. A Report for 1999-2000 was released in April 1999. The introduction of zones means the cost of travel broadly reflects the distance travelled.
Volunteering ACT Inc
Volunteering ACT believe that the International Year of the Older Person, 2000 Olympics and the International Year of the Volunteer in 2001 should focus the Government on volunteering efforts. Volunteering ACT believes that many initiatives can be commenced in this financial year as part of a three year plan culminating in 2001. These projects relate to recognition of volunteers in the ACT and the promotion of volunteering.
Government Response
Volunteering ACT’s strategies take an appropriate partnership approach with the government, community and business sectors to achieve their aims, particularly in the area of corporate sponsorship. The Government looks forward to continuing dialogue with Volunteering ACT in the lead up to the International Year of the Volunteer in 2001.
Weston Creek Community Council
The Weston Creek Community Council requests continuation of the present Council grant of $0.003m. It welcomes the Weston Creek Group Centre Works and hopes that the Duffy Drainage Works continue according to schedule. The Council believes that there is a potential major traffic problem due to the expansion of the Defence staff college, and recommends widening the Cotter Road.
The Council expects that the new Weston Creek youth facility will be reconfirmed in this budget. It welcomes the commitment to upgrading preschool play equipment and expects that one or two preschools in Weston Creek will receive an upgrade in this budget. The Council believes that Weston Creek should have received funds for a electronic library service before Gungahlin, and that the community centre requires upgrading and may no longer be appropriate for the current population of Weston Creek.
The Council also welcomes the development of Mt. Stromlo Exploratory. It believes that the increasing light pollution in Canberra could jeopardise the Observatory and requests the removal of all mercury vapour street lamps as part of the regular maintenance program.
Government Response
The Government will continue its financial assistance to community councils.
The Commonwealth Minister for Defence has advised that the Single Service Staff Colleges will be co-located on the Weston Creek site. This project will be a significant boost to the ACT economy through the construction of new facilities estimated at $28m. When the College is operational in 2001, it will bring around 200 extra staff and students to Canberra, together with their families. The section of Cotter Road between Streeton Drive and Tuggeranong Parkway has been reviewed in the past with respect to the need for duplication but in the light of this project a traffic impact assessment will be requested as part of any development application.
Construction of the Weston Creek Group Centre Works is expected to be completed by June 2000. Part 2 of the Duffy Drainage Works is continuing on schedule and is expected to be complete by 30 June 1999.
Community consultation on the Weston Creek youth facility has been extensive. Stage 1 of the project is to be located on the edge of the Weston oval, adjacent to the Weston tennis courts and scout hall, and is due to commence in May 1999. The Government has plans for improvement of a number of preschools across the ACT, and it is expected that a site in Weston Creek will be in the list for upgrading.
The use of sodium vapour lamps for streetlighting has been investigated, and there is sufficient evidence to suggest that there are maintenance cost benefits in retaining mercury lighting, as is the practice in other states. The Canberra-wide community response is also strongly in favour of retaining mercury vapour lighting because of colour rendering.
The Government recognises the Council’s concerns concerning the provision of library services. The ACT Library and Information Service is planning some development work on a ‘Virtual Library’ in the 1999-2000 financial year which would provide access for clients to electronic indexes, databases, information sources and full-text services through the Internet. Other developments planned for 1999-2000 are a Home Delivery Service pilot program on a user pays basis, and locked book returns bins located in district or group shopping centres.
The need for airconditioning at the Weston Creek Community Centre will be investigated.
Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service ACT Inc
The Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service ACT Inc believes that Indigenous health has been neglected in the ACT. The Service outlines two proposals which together would require additional funding of $0.320m.
One proposal, for an overarching whole of government commitment to Aboriginal health and wellbeing, requires the Government to fund the Service to employ Aboriginal workers who would work in partnership with the Government under a Memorandum of Understanding; to negotiate with New South Wales to resolve border issues; and to enable identified Service staff to access The Canberra Hospital’s Patient Recall System.
Another proposal involves drug and alcohol, housing and administration initiatives. This proposal seeks $0.160m for two Aboriginal drug and alcohol officers from the Service to undertake prevention, awareness promotion and community education; $0.045m for a Aboriginal liaison officer in the Service to work in partnership with ACT Housing to overcome barriers faced by the ACT Aboriginal community in accessing and maintaining properties leased to them by ACT Housing; $0.045m to maintain the Service’s Office Manager position; and $0.070m for a NACCHO state/territory affiliate position to feed information from national level back to the state/territory Aboriginal Medical Services.
Government Response
The Commonwealth Government currently provides $0.291m per annum core funding to the Service for specified outputs. The Service was established as a regional health service and it was always anticipated that some clients would be from NSW. The Service has recently adopted the national standard reporting system for Aboriginal Health Services, and this should enable better identification of total clients accessing the service, their place of origin, and the extent to which the Service has more demand than can be met from current resources. To maintain patient confidentiality, The Canberra Hospital does not provide access to the Patient Recall System for General Practitioners or any other practitioner who does not have visiting rights to the hospital. However, some limited access to records may be able to be granted to the Service’s General Practitioner so long as privacy considerations can be properly addressed.
The Service receives $0.047m to provide an alcohol and drug information and education service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to promote access to support and treatment services. Gugan Gulwan Aboriginal Youth Corporation receives $0.050m for information and health resources relating to alcohol and drug use, targeted at youth. Indigenous substance misuse has been identified as a priority for the draft ACT Drug Strategy and consideration of any unmet needs will be addressed in this context.
The Government will consider the issue of establishing an Aboriginal Liaison Officer for housing in the context of the current development of an Aboriginal Housing Bilateral Agreement. In terms of funding for an office manager, the Government assumes that the providers it contracts with will meet administrative costs from core funding.
Unlike other states and the Northern Territory, the ACT only has one Aboriginal Health Service, so representational duties should be able to be covered adequately within current funding for the Service. However, the Government is willing to consider alternative mechanisms for providing input to NACCHO.
Youth Coalition of the ACT
The Youth Coalition of the ACT (YCACT) requests that the departmental strategies which are contained in the 1999-2000 Budget be collated in the form of an annual ACT Government Youth Strategies document. It requests that the ACT Government seeks to reverse Commonwealth funding cuts that impact on young people.
YCACT urges the Government to adopt the recommendations put forward in the joint peaks submission "Improving the Benefits for Providers, Consumers and Government". It recommends that youth services should not be tendered out until the Standing Committee reports back to the Assembly, and that youth service providers should be funded to cover increased staff costs in a consistent manner.
YCACT recommends the monitoring and evaluation of the benefits of the Pathways to Employment Program for unemployed youth, and requests part funding of $0.015m for the Youth Unemployment in the ACT Surrounding Region Project. YCACT also requests extra funding and support for organisations such as youth centres to provide enterprise skills training to unemployed youth. YCACT recommends that the Government, the Capital Region Employment Council and YCACT undertake a campaign to identify Indigenous job opportunities in service industries related to the 2000 Olympics and formally consult with the Capital Region School-Industry Taskforce to identify ongoing funding options.
YCACT requests the expansion of housing support services to young people and recommends that the Housing and Policy Unit of Urban Services identify and report on strategies for the provision of appropriate housing to young people. YCACT believes that the Government should conduct a review of programs for marginalised young people in the education system and develop a strategy for the coordination of existing programs and future resource allocation.
YCACT recommends continued funding of the Junction Youth Health Service after a positive external evaluation. The Government should fund the Family, Children’s and Youth Health Program to employ a youth counsellor providing outreach services to young people. YCACT recommends the establishment of a youth specific, residential, holistic rehabilitation service for young people funded by Home and Community Care and the Commonwealth Drug Strategy. YCACT requests the funding of community based drug and alcohol workers to provide drug and alcohol education in schools. YCACT believes that the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Team should expand its target group to include 18-25 year olds and two additional positions should be funded.
YCACT recommends that the Chief Minister’s Department provide three year funding for a full time non English speaking background worker to compile data and devise an action plan on the needs of youth from non English speaking backgrounds. It recommends that funding should reflect the fact that 26% of the youth population in the ACT are from non English speaking backgrounds. YCACT requests the development of a multilingual community resource package for English as a second language classes and "on arrival courses" to advertise the different services available to people from non English speaking backgrounds in the ACT. artsACT should identify funding for a multicultural youth arts project which showcases the work of youth from non English speaking backgrounds.
Government Response
A revised ACT Youth Strategy for 1999-2000 has been developed by the Office of Youth as a result of wide consultation and feedback. It includes six key directions that outline the identified priorities for youth affairs in the ACT. A Department of Education and Community Services action plan, to be revised annually, has been developed identifying strategies which address the key directions.
The Government will continue to monitor the impact of Commonwealth funding decisions on young people who access ACT Government and government funded youth services. Discussion on these issues will continue through Ministerial channels.
The Government will consider the recommendations of the Joint ACT Peaks submission to the Legislative Assembly Standing Committee for the Chief Minister’s Portfolio Inquiry into the Implementation of Service Purchasing in the context of the Committee’s report. The Government is responsible for delivering a range of critical services to disadvantaged youth and there are also important services delivered by community organisations through the Youth Services Grants Program and the Supported Assistance Accommodation Program. In line with service purchasing policy there is a need to review these services to ensure the best possible outcomes for youth, and occasionally this will require a tender process to select an organisation to deliver particular services. Since 1996 the Department of Education and Community Services has initiated three tender processes for youth services.
A majority of contracted youth services under the Youth Services Grants Program and the Supported Assistance Accommodation Program are funded to provide support to, and access for, young people from non English speaking backgrounds. In addition, the Department of Education and Community Services funds the Migrant Resource Centre to deliver an education support program to young people and this program received an increase in funding from $0.010m to $0.030m from 1998-99.
Evaluation of employment programs is part of service provision. All providers are contractually obliged to meet clearly defined performance outcomes relating directly to employment, to conduct customer satisfaction surveys and to market their programs. A report on the 1999-2000 outcomes will be developed. It is understood that the Capital Region Employment Council will find the Youth Unemployment in the ACT Surrounding Region Project using Commonwealth funds. The ACT Government is in the process of developing a Strategy for Employment for Indigenous People to be completed in May 1999. All relevant agencies will be consulted on this Strategy. YCACT's proposal that the Government consult with the Capital Region School-Industry Taskforce to identify funding options for Vocational Education and Training in Schools after 2000 is supported.
The expansion of provision of housing support services to young people is being considered as part of the Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement renegotiations and Supported Accommodation Assistance Program review. The identification and reporting on strategies for providing appropriate housing will be undertaken as part of the needs analysis for the 1999 Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement Bilateral Agreement.
The Government shares YCACT’s concern for marginalised youth. A range of programs, including the alternative education programs and the ‘full-service school’ project model, has been developed to address the needs of these young people. YCACT’s proposal for a review of programs and the development of a comprehensive strategy for the coordination of existing programs and future resource allocation will be addressed in the context of the evaluation of these programs and of other initiatives of the Department of Education and Community Services.
The Junction Youth Health Service is a pilot project jointly funded by the ACT Government and the Commonwealth under the Innovative Health Service for Homeless Youth Program. It is anticipated that the evaluation of this pilot project will be completed before the end of the current contract for The Junction in December 1999. The Government acknowledges the need for generalist youth counselling but will have to remain within its existing budget for purchasing services from ACT Community Care. It will explore options for the provision of generalist counselling for young people with the Child, Family and Youth Health Program of ACT Community Care.
The Government is pleased that a residential rehabilitation facility for youth will be established in the ACT under Commonwealth National Illicit Drug Strategy Non Government Organisation Treatment Grants funding announced in March 1999. This facility will be established in a partnership between ADDInc and the Ted Noffs Foundation in NSW and will provide residential rehabilitation for eight people aged under 18, at any one time. The facility will also provide an aftercare component.
The ACT Drug Education Framework aims to provide direction for schools to develop their own drug education strategy, including the development of protocols on drug incidents in schools. Government and non government organisations are contracted to conduct alcohol and drug education activities. The Government’s Alcohol and Drug Program conducts ongoing drug education, primarily through its Health Promotion Unit. As well, the Government funds a wide range of anti smoking education activities through the Smoke-free Areas public education campaign, ACT Cancer Society and the Alcohol and Drug Program. In the ACT, there are a number of external agencies offering a range of drug education programs to government schools. The draft Drug Education Policy Framework, released for community consultation, addresses the suitability of these programs.
There is strong collaboration between the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service workers and the Adult Community Mental Health teams. When Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service clients turn 18, a decision is made about continuing care with the Service before handing over to the adult teams, and not all clients are moved into the adult regional team at age 18. Two additional child and adolescent mental health workers have been recruited to the service since the last budget.
While the analysis of data and determination of an action plan on the needs of youth from non English speaking backgrounds is an important exercise it would not require three years full time funding. Resources would be better spent implementing findings from such an exercise and a six month consultancy could provide this outcome. It should be noted that under current ACT definitions, only 8% of the total school population are from non English speaking backgrounds.
English as a second language teachers, Introductory English Centres and mainstream schools have developed translations of school forms and letters into the most common community languages, with resources provided by Commonwealth English as a second language funds. A multilingual community resource package, containing detailed information on the services available to youth from non English speaking backgrounds, will be incorporated in the "Welcome to Canberra" booklet, which is currently being updated in ten different languages as a joint project between the Office of Multicultural and International Affairs and the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.
Funding is currently provided for a Multicultural Arts Officer and for a range of youth arts and community arts activity. There are opportunities for a multicultural youth arts project to be supported in 1999-2000, subject to the appropriate assessment process. Applications for the main funding rounds will close in May or June.
Comments made by individuals
Nine submissions were received from individuals. These submissions raised a wide range of issues concerning: economic and financial management of the ACT, including ACT fees and charges; education; health and community care; criminal justice; environment; public transport; public housing; Indigenous issues; English literacy and numeracy for non English speakers; and urban infrastructure.
Organisations Making Submissions
Community Councils
Belconnen Community Council Inc, Gungahlin Community Council Inc, North Canberra Community Council Inc, Tuggeranong Community Council Inc, Weston Creek Community Council
Community Organisations
ACT Council of Social Service Inc, ACT Equestrian Association Inc, ACT for Trees, ACT Shelter, ACTSPORT, Archdiocesan Welfare Advisory Committee - Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn, Assisting Drug Dependents Inc, Association of Parents and Friends of ACT Schools Inc, Barnardos ACT, Belconnen Employment Solutions Taskforce, Canberra Police & Citizens Youth Clubs Inc, Canberra Rape Crisis Centre, Canberra Schizophrenia Fellowship, Catholic Education Commission - Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn, Centacare - Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn, Conservation Council of the South East Region and Canberra Inc, Council on the Ageing (ACT) Inc, Diabetes Australia - ACT, Epilepsy Association (ACT) Inc, Ginninderra Catchment Group, Marymead Child and Family Centre, Mature Aged Clubs Combined, National Council of Women of ACT Inc, Property Owners Association of the ACT Inc, Re-Employ Active Mature People ACT Inc, Service Assisting Male Survivors of Sexual Assault, Toora Single Wimmin’s Shelter Inc, Tuggeranong Community Arts Association Inc, Volunteering ACT Inc, Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service ACT Inc, Youth Coalition of the ACT
Business Groups
Canberra Business Council, Home Based Business Association - Australian Capital Region, Housing Industry Association Ltd, Master Builders Association of the ACT, Motor Trades Association ACT Ltd, Tourism Council of Australia - Canberra Region Branch
Unions
Australian Education Union - ACT Branch, Australian Federal Police Association - ACT Police Branch
Government Boards and Committees
ACT Corrections Health Board
Political Parties
Christian Democratic Party - ACT Branch
Individuals
Ms Alison Aggarwal, Mr Victor Bayliss, Mr Stephen Brown, Mr Peter Bullock, Mr D L Dunnet, Ms Audrey Guy, Mr Dudley Horscroft, Mr Anthony Mannering, Mr H C Plenty