Ms CARTER - 2002-03-07
Last night on TV I was surprised to learn that you feel the opposition is picking on you because you are a girl. Let me assure you our attention to you has nothing to do with your gender and has everything to do with your lack of ability. If you feel incapable in your position, give it over, I would be happy to do it.
Now, you just told us that you look forward to answering questions and, going on your past performance this sittings, let’s hope you will do a little bit better with this one.
Last week, you expressed your commitment to people with a disability. You said you were going to consult extensively with them. A number of their organisations, such as the Handicapped Person’s Association, are facing serious financial problems. How is it that since 6 September 2001, ACROD, the peak body for disability service providers, despite consistent approaches has been unable to get an appointment with you? Why are you avoiding them?
Minister, will you give disability service providers an assurance that you will index their funding to enable them to maintain their services in the face of increasing costs? Or will services to people with a disability have to be cut under a Labor government? Madam Speaker, I seek leave to table a letter to the Leader of the Opposition from the Handicapped Person’s Association which extends on that issue.
Leave granted.
ANSWER
I thank the honourable member for her question. Madam Speaker, I attended and spoke at the annual ACROD conference. I have also attended their dinner. At that meeting, I had extensive conversations with people from HPA and various other disability organisations.
Yes, I am aware of the letter which the honourable member speaks of and I can assure her that in fact two of my advisors have actually spoken with both of these organisations. There is an open invitation for any non-government organisation to have an appointment with me and, in fact, my advisors, having met with them, left them with that opportunity. I am very happy to meet with these people. I have already had extensive discussions with them.
In relation to the issues to do with funding, you would be aware that the Northern Territory Council of Social Services is, on behalf of this government, organising forums in Alice Springs and Darwin relating to funding to do with non-government sector. In fact, there was one earlier this week in Alice Springs and there is one tomorrow in Darwin, which I will be addressing. This forum is looking at how we are going to look at the atrocious situation which the previous government has left us in relation to the non-government sector. Many organisations have not received any extra funding for many years. We are looking at how we can make this sector sustainable.
Now, you just told us that you look forward to answering questions and, going on your past performance this sittings, let’s hope you will do a little bit better with this one.
Last week, you expressed your commitment to people with a disability. You said you were going to consult extensively with them. A number of their organisations, such as the Handicapped Person’s Association, are facing serious financial problems. How is it that since 6 September 2001, ACROD, the peak body for disability service providers, despite consistent approaches has been unable to get an appointment with you? Why are you avoiding them?
Minister, will you give disability service providers an assurance that you will index their funding to enable them to maintain their services in the face of increasing costs? Or will services to people with a disability have to be cut under a Labor government? Madam Speaker, I seek leave to table a letter to the Leader of the Opposition from the Handicapped Person’s Association which extends on that issue.
Leave granted.
ANSWER
I thank the honourable member for her question. Madam Speaker, I attended and spoke at the annual ACROD conference. I have also attended their dinner. At that meeting, I had extensive conversations with people from HPA and various other disability organisations.
Yes, I am aware of the letter which the honourable member speaks of and I can assure her that in fact two of my advisors have actually spoken with both of these organisations. There is an open invitation for any non-government organisation to have an appointment with me and, in fact, my advisors, having met with them, left them with that opportunity. I am very happy to meet with these people. I have already had extensive discussions with them.
In relation to the issues to do with funding, you would be aware that the Northern Territory Council of Social Services is, on behalf of this government, organising forums in Alice Springs and Darwin relating to funding to do with non-government sector. In fact, there was one earlier this week in Alice Springs and there is one tomorrow in Darwin, which I will be addressing. This forum is looking at how we are going to look at the atrocious situation which the previous government has left us in relation to the non-government sector. Many organisations have not received any extra funding for many years. We are looking at how we can make this sector sustainable.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016