Mr BURKE - 2006-05-02
Palmerston is the fastest growing city in Australia. Can the minister update the House on how Budget 2006-07 helps build stronger families in the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Brennan for his question. It is a very important question. The opposition may not be interested in supporting families, but the Martin Labor government certainly is.
This budget has great news for Territory families. More jobs help our Territory families: $84m for training and employment programs that provide families with strong employment opportunities. All Territory families will also benefit from our tax reduction of $74m. We are improving education outcomes with the highest education budget ever; a budget which means better results by building better schools. More money in the budget for healthy communities helps our families with a healthier future for our Territory hospitals. All Territory families benefit from these initiatives.
For younger families, we will be providing the highest level of childcare subsidies ever. The Martin government is the only state or territory government in Australia which directly subsidises childcare costs, with some $3.6m expended in Budget 2006-07 to support families in childcare.
For older members of our Territory families, the Martin government provides the most generous pensioner concession scheme in Australia. In this budget, a record $8.3m will be spent on helping pensioners cut costs, from helping with their electricity bills through to paying for interstate trips to visit families and friends.
As Minister for Family and Community Services, I am delighted that Budget 2006-07 implements such a strong social development program. We are delivering on our commitment to provide a carer’s card, which will provide, for the first time, concessions for those family members who so selflessly care for others in less fortunate situations.
As we know, abuse of alcohol can rip families apart. We are increasing treatment places. Our division of Alcohol and Other Drugs now has a budget of around $21m, with almost $11m going directly to non-government organisations throughout the Territory to deliver rehabilitation services.
In Mental Health, there is an extra $500 000 to provide 24 hour support for people with mental illnesses, and their families.
We are delivering for the regions with $500 000 for a new Central Australian mental health crisis accommodation service. There is $200 000 for a new family support service in the Barkly region, and $450 000 to support people with ageing-related and disability issues to return home to remote communities after their hospital stay.
Finally, Madam Speaker, there is nothing more important to Territory families than our children. Our massive investment in child protection continues in this budget. Our Child Protection Services budget is now four times what it was when we came to government in 2001. We have not doubled it or tripled it; we have quadrupled it. We are very proud of this achievement. The Martin government is helping Territory families to build a strong future, and Budget 2006-07 is, indeed, a very family-friendly budget.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Brennan for his question. It is a very important question. The opposition may not be interested in supporting families, but the Martin Labor government certainly is.
This budget has great news for Territory families. More jobs help our Territory families: $84m for training and employment programs that provide families with strong employment opportunities. All Territory families will also benefit from our tax reduction of $74m. We are improving education outcomes with the highest education budget ever; a budget which means better results by building better schools. More money in the budget for healthy communities helps our families with a healthier future for our Territory hospitals. All Territory families benefit from these initiatives.
For younger families, we will be providing the highest level of childcare subsidies ever. The Martin government is the only state or territory government in Australia which directly subsidises childcare costs, with some $3.6m expended in Budget 2006-07 to support families in childcare.
For older members of our Territory families, the Martin government provides the most generous pensioner concession scheme in Australia. In this budget, a record $8.3m will be spent on helping pensioners cut costs, from helping with their electricity bills through to paying for interstate trips to visit families and friends.
As Minister for Family and Community Services, I am delighted that Budget 2006-07 implements such a strong social development program. We are delivering on our commitment to provide a carer’s card, which will provide, for the first time, concessions for those family members who so selflessly care for others in less fortunate situations.
As we know, abuse of alcohol can rip families apart. We are increasing treatment places. Our division of Alcohol and Other Drugs now has a budget of around $21m, with almost $11m going directly to non-government organisations throughout the Territory to deliver rehabilitation services.
In Mental Health, there is an extra $500 000 to provide 24 hour support for people with mental illnesses, and their families.
We are delivering for the regions with $500 000 for a new Central Australian mental health crisis accommodation service. There is $200 000 for a new family support service in the Barkly region, and $450 000 to support people with ageing-related and disability issues to return home to remote communities after their hospital stay.
Finally, Madam Speaker, there is nothing more important to Territory families than our children. Our massive investment in child protection continues in this budget. Our Child Protection Services budget is now four times what it was when we came to government in 2001. We have not doubled it or tripled it; we have quadrupled it. We are very proud of this achievement. The Martin government is helping Territory families to build a strong future, and Budget 2006-07 is, indeed, a very family-friendly budget.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016