The ACT Opposition has accused the Government of turning its back on vulnerable children, after an ABC investigation into the deaths of two young Canberrans.
31 August 2016
Hot on the heels of Yvette Berry’s Spotless contract scandal, it’s now obvious the Minister hasn’t had adequate oversight of the funding arrangements for housing provider Inanna Inc, which is apparently struggling to fulfil its obligations, Shadow Minister for Family and Community Services Nicole Lawder said today.
“When organisations receive grants from the government to operate services, there are strict accountability and reporting requirements that must be adhered to. I have serious concerns of what oversight the ACT Government had of Inanna and how the issue has come to this point,” Ms Lawder said.
“It begs the question, what reporting requirements was the organisation supposed to comply with and why didn’t Yvette Berry and her Directorate enforce those reporting requirements? How long has the Minister been aware of these issues?
“Inanna has been delivering vital services to many vulnerable women in our community and it’s disappointing to see that the Barr government has not been able to properly manage its responsibilities to manage funding agreements.
“It appears ACT Labor Ministers are focusing too much on light rail and not on the people most in need of help in our community, not to mention adequate oversight of public spending.
“The overriding concern at this time is that the services provided by Inanna continue to be delivered with no impact on clients. It’s a shame the government has allowed it to reach this point. The Canberra community deserves better,” Ms Lawder concluded.
Contact: Joe Prevedello 0402 768 432
29 August 2016
If elected, the Canberra Liberals will continue with the current legislated targets of 100 percent renewable energy for the ACT by 2020 and achieving zero net emissions by 2050, Shadow Minister for Environment Nicole Lawder said today.
“The Canberra Liberals are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and encouraging the use and advancement of renewable energy. It’s important to lead the way here in the ACT,” Ms Lawder said.
“We are also committed to the interim target of 40 percent less than 1990 levels of carbon emissions.
“We recognise that renewable energy is an important part of our transition to a low emissions economy and the Canberra Liberals are committed to protecting our environment for future generations.
“Continuing with these targets means we’ll make further progress towards a cleaner and more sustainable environment in the future,” Ms Lawder concluded.
Contact: Joe Prevedello 0402768432
31 August 2016
The Barr government’s decision to extend the Total Facilities Management (TFM) contract with current provider Spotless for an extra year until mid-2018 raises serious questions about governance issues, Shadow Minister for Housing Nicole Lawder said today.
“The contract which provides maintenance for public housing was awarded to Spotless for five years in 2012 meaning it would expire in 2017. This week, Yvette Berry inexplicably announced an extension until mid-2018. This raises alarm bells given Spotless’s chequered management of public housing maintenance,” Ms Lawder said.
“The Minister needs to answer the following questions, including:
1. Why was the contract extended from 2017 to 2018, given the Auditor-General’s adverse findings surrounding Spotless’s management of public housing maintenance?
2. Given the original Spotless contract was due to end in 2017, why didn’t the government initiate a tender process for a new contract to commence as the current one expires?
3. Has the government’s MOU with UnionsACT been followed as part of the contract renewal?
4. Why is the cost of the extra year of the contract still being negotiated?
5. What role did the Minister personally play in extending the contract for Spotless?
6. Will the TFM be included as part of a new all encompassing asset management contract?
“Maintenance of public housing needs to be of the highest standard and there’s no doubt there have been issues with Spotless’s management. The Minister needs to explain lingering questions surrounding the TFM contract extension. Like many things with this government, it just doesn’t smell right,” Ms Lawder concluded.
Contact: Joe Prevedello 0402768432
This week I'm supporting Hearing Awareness Week which aims to bring awareness of the one in six Australians who are Deaf or hard of hearing or have a chronic ear disorder.
I know a lot of people who are deaf or hard of hearing, and I'm proud to lend my support to this worthy cause.
Authorised by Nicole Lawder, Canberra Liberals, 4/50 Geils Court Deakin ACT 2600