Published: 22 April 2016

22 April 2016

The inquiry which was established following the tragic death of an eight year old boy in Jacka earlier this year was due to be handed to the Chief Minister by today. It’s important that we learn from this report to ensure that tragedies involving family violence, young people and care and protection services are averted in the future, Shadow Minister for Family and Community Services Nicole Lawder said today.

“The safety of children and young people in the Canberra community is paramount and I will seek a briefing on the report and findings of the Glanfield Inquiry, whether they’re made public or not,” Ms Lawder said.

“The government needs to start facilitating and enforcing better information sharing across directorates and agencies, as well as other jurisdictions, in relation to children in care and protection, as there have been a number of reports and inquiries into this issue now.

“Those reports include the ‘Keeping Children & Young People Safe a shared community responsibility’ report released in November 2012 and the ‘Territory as Parent: Review of the Safety of Children in Care in the ACT and of ACT Child Protection Management’ report (also known as the Vardon report) released in May 2004.

“I hope that systemic improvements come from this latest inquiry and I encourage the government to move quickly to make sure the care and protection system is as safe as possible for the sake of vulnerable children and young people who rely on it,” Ms Lawder concluded.

Contact: Joe Prevedello 0402768432

Published: 14 April 2016

Thursday 14 April 2016

An Auditor-General’s report released today has found the facilities management contract worth tens of millions of dollars annually for ACT public housing hasn’t been properly managed by the government, Shadow Minister for Housing Nicole Lawder said today.

“This report shows that Housing ACT and the Community Services Directorate’s management of the Total Facilities Management contract is ‘not fully effective’. This is concerning given that this contract is valued at $48 million a year, and is one of the ACT government’s biggest ongoing contracts,” Ms Lawder said.

“The report has also found that:

“Importantly, work order audits undertaken by Spotless have been problematic and Housing and Community Services has not enforced the necessary and required standard for these audits” Pg1-2

“Housing and Community Services has no visibility over the reviews undertaken by Spotless’ Works Supervisors for checking that work orders have been completed” Pg 5

“Current reporting does not provide Housing and Community Services with adequate visibility over Spotless’ Work Supervisors inspections of works undertaken by Spotless or its sub-contractors” Pg 6

“I often receive complains from public housing tenants about the quality and timeliness of maintenance of public housing properties. The Minister needs make sure proper management is in place to ensure effective outcomes for residents and efficient management of the assets,” Ms Lawder concluded.

Contact: Joe Prevedello 0402768432

Published: 21 April 2016

Thursday 21 April 2016

The 2016 Rental Affordability Snapshot released today by Anglicare Australia demonstrates that the Barr government needs to step up, stop talking and actually start addressing the lack of affordable housing in our community, Shadow Minister for Housing Nicole Lawder said today.

“Unfortunately, the snapshot shows few properties in the ACT are affordable for households with a minimum wage income. It highlights the need for a whole of government commitment to address homelessness, and those at risk of homelessness,” Ms Lawder said.

The snapshot shows:

- Young people and single parents lack affordable private rental options. 

- Only one affordable and appropriate property was found for a single parent with two children on a single parenting payment. 

- Only one affordable and appropriate property was found for an adult couple with two children on Newstart Allowance.

- For a couple with two children on a minimum wage, parenting payment (partnered) and Family Tax Benefit A & B, only two affordable and appropriate properties were found.

“The report also shows that the combination of an insufficient supply of housing and higher average disposable incomes results in upward pressures on rental prices. Just 6.8 percent of rental properties were available and affordable in the ACT for an adult couple with two children on a minimum wage and Family Tax Benefit A. This is significantly lower than the 38.5 percent of affordable and available properties in the greater Perth metropolitan area for the same cohort of people, for example.

“Many members of our community are struggling to make ends meet and often have to forgo basic items such as food so that they have the money to pay their rent. Furthermore, we still have long public housing waiting lists. 

“The Barr government is tripling rates to pay for light rail and has no concern for Canberrans struggling to pay for expensive housing,” Ms Lawder concluded.

Contact: Joe Prevedello 0402768432

Published: 31 March 2016

31 March 2016

Eight Rapid bus routes across Canberra, City to Airport bus services and faster non-stop suburban bus services to the major central work hubs are just some of the features of a Canberra Liberals government’s plans for the future of public transport in the ACT, Shadow Minister for Transport Alistair Coe and Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Hanson announced today.

“Today we are announcing the biggest public transport reforms in the history of the ACT. Our plan wills serve as the blueprint for the future of public transport, for all Canberrans. Bus public transport has great potential in Canberra and we want a network that services as many Canberrans as possible,” Mr Coe said.

“The plan will be funded through the existing resources of ACTION and the reallocation of the funding for the Capital Metro Agency. The initiatives include:

- A better fit-out for new buses focusing on accessibility and comfort as well a new colour coding system.

- Eight separate Rapid routes; including an airport service.

- Late night services on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

- Faster services including non-stop services to reduce peak hour travel times.

- A trial of electric buses with a view to the establishment of a fleet of electric vehicles.

- A new Parkway Express linking Woden, Belconnen and our major hospitals.

“There are also plans to upgrade bus stops with all weather shielding and real time information displays, trial electric buses and enable MyWay cards for other purchases,” Mr Coe concluded.

“The Canberra Liberals’ vision for public transport offers much better access and timeliness for all of Canberra as opposed to Andrew Barr’s light rail which will only service a fraction of the population,” Mr Hanson said.

“Canberrans have a genuine choice at the next election, our enhanced bus network with better services across all of Canberra or Andrew Barr’s unaffordable and unviable trams,” Mr Hanson concluded.

For full details click here www.canberrastransportfuture.com.au