Mrs HICKEY - 1994-09-01
Mr Speaker, can the minister explain why the resources of Info-Net have been reduced from 3 positions to 1.5 positions? Can he tell Territory women, particularly those living in rural and remote communities, what avenues of assistance will be available to them in the future? Alternatively, will he guarantee to restore Info-Net to 3 fully-funded positions?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, the member for Barkly's question relates to the Women's Information Service which is known generally as Info-Net. I had the pleasure of opening that service last year. It has proven to be extremely popular and, I am told, is most useful to the women of the Northern Territory, particularly those living in remote areas. They have the ability now to access information through the Info-Net by means of a 008 number.
The resources provided to that service were, as the member indicated, 3 staff when the service was provided initially, although the establishment was only 2 positions. The additional resources were provided to enable the service to become operational more quickly and to provide a service to Northern Territory women during the formative months of the service. The suggestion that there has now been a reduction in staff is partially correct. Certainly, the third position is no longer available. You would appreciate, Mr Speaker, that the department has finite resources. Whilst, at one time, it had the ability to provide an additional staff member to that service, it is unable to maintain that. One of the other members of the staff is leaving.
Mr Ede interjecting.
Mr REED: If the Leader of the Opposition wants to keep interjecting in respect of an important matter like this - and it is an important matter to the women of the Territory - then he can do so, but I am attempting to provide his deputy with some information.
Mr Ede: Go ahead, please.
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Mr REED: He might have the good grace to listen.
One of the staff members is about to go on maternity leave if she has not done so already. Effectively, that will leave the Info-Net with 1.5 staff members. However, I have had representations on this matter over the last few weeks from Northern Territory women who have been using the service. They are very appreciative and, I must say, very supportive of it. Indeed, as recently as yesterday, I had a meeting with 3 members of the Women's Advisory Council who expressed similar concerns to me. Given the foregoing, the issues have been addressed.
While I am on the matter of the Women's Advisory Council, I remind members that WAC initiated the suggestion that such a service should be provided. It developed a proposal which, in turn, was considered by Cabinet and funded. That is how the service came to pass and therefore it was of value to sit down with representatives of the Women's Advisory Council yesterday to discuss matters including Info-Net. I confirmed with them today that the staff will be maintained at 2 and that additional resources will be provided to ensure that the good services provided to Northern Territory women are maintained.
Indeed, I have made arrangements also for the Convenor of the Women's Advisory Council, Ms Sue Carter, to meet with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Community Services to discuss the physical location of Info-Net in the department. The Women's Advisory Council raised with me yesterday the appropriateness of its current location and concerns that some women have expressed about accessing the service directly rather than by telephone.
I have been across these issues. I have been speaking to Northern Territory women in relation to the services provided by Info-Net. In fact, it appears that I acted before the member for Barkly even became aware that there was a problem. Thus, I can assure her that she can rest easy. As far as being aware of the problems, she is coming last in the race at the moment. They were fixed before she raised them with me. I am pleased to say that Info-Net will continue to be maintained for Northern Territory women.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, the member for Barkly's question relates to the Women's Information Service which is known generally as Info-Net. I had the pleasure of opening that service last year. It has proven to be extremely popular and, I am told, is most useful to the women of the Northern Territory, particularly those living in remote areas. They have the ability now to access information through the Info-Net by means of a 008 number.
The resources provided to that service were, as the member indicated, 3 staff when the service was provided initially, although the establishment was only 2 positions. The additional resources were provided to enable the service to become operational more quickly and to provide a service to Northern Territory women during the formative months of the service. The suggestion that there has now been a reduction in staff is partially correct. Certainly, the third position is no longer available. You would appreciate, Mr Speaker, that the department has finite resources. Whilst, at one time, it had the ability to provide an additional staff member to that service, it is unable to maintain that. One of the other members of the staff is leaving.
Mr Ede interjecting.
Mr REED: If the Leader of the Opposition wants to keep interjecting in respect of an important matter like this - and it is an important matter to the women of the Territory - then he can do so, but I am attempting to provide his deputy with some information.
Mr Ede: Go ahead, please.
Page 145
Mr REED: He might have the good grace to listen.
One of the staff members is about to go on maternity leave if she has not done so already. Effectively, that will leave the Info-Net with 1.5 staff members. However, I have had representations on this matter over the last few weeks from Northern Territory women who have been using the service. They are very appreciative and, I must say, very supportive of it. Indeed, as recently as yesterday, I had a meeting with 3 members of the Women's Advisory Council who expressed similar concerns to me. Given the foregoing, the issues have been addressed.
While I am on the matter of the Women's Advisory Council, I remind members that WAC initiated the suggestion that such a service should be provided. It developed a proposal which, in turn, was considered by Cabinet and funded. That is how the service came to pass and therefore it was of value to sit down with representatives of the Women's Advisory Council yesterday to discuss matters including Info-Net. I confirmed with them today that the staff will be maintained at 2 and that additional resources will be provided to ensure that the good services provided to Northern Territory women are maintained.
Indeed, I have made arrangements also for the Convenor of the Women's Advisory Council, Ms Sue Carter, to meet with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Community Services to discuss the physical location of Info-Net in the department. The Women's Advisory Council raised with me yesterday the appropriateness of its current location and concerns that some women have expressed about accessing the service directly rather than by telephone.
I have been across these issues. I have been speaking to Northern Territory women in relation to the services provided by Info-Net. In fact, it appears that I acted before the member for Barkly even became aware that there was a problem. Thus, I can assure her that she can rest easy. As far as being aware of the problems, she is coming last in the race at the moment. They were fixed before she raised them with me. I am pleased to say that Info-Net will continue to be maintained for Northern Territory women.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016