❓ Dr. Edwards asks about increased resources for the Department for Community Development. Mr. Templeman responds by highlighting budget increases, staffing increases, and a commitment to supporting the department's work with vulnerable families and children, while also criticising the previous government's efforts.
AnsweredQoN 560Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - RESOURCES
Can the minister please advise the house what action has been taken to increase resources to the Department for Community Development? Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN
Can the minister please advise the house what action has been taken to increase resources to the Department for Community Development? Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Maylands for that very important question. Before I give my answer, I acknowledge the presence in the gallery of the wonderful students from Frederick Irwin Anglican School in Mandurah, which is the fastest-growing city in Western Australia. I have already highlighted to the Leader of the Opposition the huge range of changes that have occurred under this government. I will highlight more to the member. Apart from the injection of $140 million, which is the biggest increase in the department’s budget, we have also seen funding for the 2006-07 budget of $82 million, which is more than the allocation in the last year of the coalition government. That funding increase represents 50 per cent of the budget. On current budget papers alone, at the time of the next election the department will receive more than $100 million extra every year than when the coalition government left office - an amount of $268.8 million compared with $162.7 million in its time. The whole focus of the budget allocation is to provide more officers and staff on the ground working with children and vulnerable families to make sure that we are strengthening the protection of children. The budget staff allocation - which represents a staffing level of 363 FTEs - represents an increase of 30 per cent from when members opposite were in government. Unlike the opposition, we will not play politics. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call to order the member for Roe and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : We will not play politics as members opposite do, because this issue is far too important. This is about making sure that we put in place the very best possible processes and mechanisms, be it legislation or extra resources for the department, to ensure that the difficult job that the staff of the Department for Community Development do is supported and resourced. That is my commitment; that is what I will keep doing. As I said, this government has a very, very strong record that compares very favourably with the pathetic efforts of members opposite.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN replied: I thank the member for Maylands for that very important question. Before I give my answer, I acknowledge the presence in the gallery of the wonderful students from Frederick Irwin Anglican School in Mandurah, which is the fastest-growing city in Western Australia. I have already highlighted to the Leader of the Opposition the huge range of changes that have occurred under this government. I will highlight more to the member. Apart from the injection of $140 million, which is the biggest increase in the department’s budget, we have also seen funding for the 2006-07 budget of $82 million, which is more than the allocation in the last year of the coalition government. That funding increase represents 50 per cent of the budget. On current budget papers alone, at the time of the next election the department will receive more than $100 million extra every year than when the coalition government left office - an amount of $268.8 million compared with $162.7 million in its time. The whole focus of the budget allocation is to provide more officers and staff on the ground working with children and vulnerable families to make sure that we are strengthening the protection of children. The budget staff allocation - which represents a staffing level of 363 FTEs - represents an increase of 30 per cent from when members opposite were in government. Unlike the opposition, we will not play politics. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call to order the member for Roe and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : We will not play politics as members opposite do, because this issue is far too important. This is about making sure that we put in place the very best possible processes and mechanisms, be it legislation or extra resources for the department, to ensure that the difficult job that the staff of the Department for Community Development do is supported and resourced. That is my commitment; that is what I will keep doing. As I said, this government has a very, very strong record that compares very favourably with the pathetic efforts of members opposite.
I thank the member for Maylands for that very important question. Before I give my answer, I acknowledge the presence in the gallery of the wonderful students from Frederick Irwin Anglican School in Mandurah, which is the fastest-growing city in Western Australia. I have already highlighted to the Leader of the Opposition the huge range of changes that have occurred under this government. I will highlight more to the member. Apart from the injection of $140 million, which is the biggest increase in the department’s budget, we have also seen funding for the 2006-07 budget of $82 million, which is more than the allocation in the last year of the coalition government. That funding increase represents 50 per cent of the budget. On current budget papers alone, at the time of the next election the department will receive more than $100 million extra every year than when the coalition government left office - an amount of $268.8 million compared with $162.7 million in its time. The whole focus of the budget allocation is to provide more officers and staff on the ground working with children and vulnerable families to make sure that we are strengthening the protection of children. The budget staff allocation - which represents a staffing level of 363 FTEs - represents an increase of 30 per cent from when members opposite were in government. Unlike the opposition, we will not play politics. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call to order the member for Roe and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : We will not play politics as members opposite do, because this issue is far too important. This is about making sure that we put in place the very best possible processes and mechanisms, be it legislation or extra resources for the department, to ensure that the difficult job that the staff of the Department for Community Development do is supported and resourced. That is my commitment; that is what I will keep doing. As I said, this government has a very, very strong record that compares very favourably with the pathetic efforts of members opposite.
I have already highlighted to the Leader of the Opposition the huge range of changes that have occurred under this government. I will highlight more to the member. Apart from the injection of $140 million, which is the biggest increase in the department’s budget, we have also seen funding for the 2006-07 budget of $82 million, which is more than the allocation in the last year of the coalition government. That funding increase represents 50 per cent of the budget. On current budget papers alone, at the time of the next election the department will receive more than $100 million extra every year than when the coalition government left office - an amount of $268.8 million compared with $162.7 million in its time. The whole focus of the budget allocation is to provide more officers and staff on the ground working with children and vulnerable families to make sure that we are strengthening the protection of children. The budget staff allocation - which represents a staffing level of 363 FTEs - represents an increase of 30 per cent from when members opposite were in government. Unlike the opposition, we will not play politics. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call to order the member for Roe and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : We will not play politics as members opposite do, because this issue is far too important. This is about making sure that we put in place the very best possible processes and mechanisms, be it legislation or extra resources for the department, to ensure that the difficult job that the staff of the Department for Community Development do is supported and resourced. That is my commitment; that is what I will keep doing. As I said, this government has a very, very strong record that compares very favourably with the pathetic efforts of members opposite.
The whole focus of the budget allocation is to provide more officers and staff on the ground working with children and vulnerable families to make sure that we are strengthening the protection of children. The budget staff allocation - which represents a staffing level of 363 FTEs - represents an increase of 30 per cent from when members opposite were in government. Unlike the opposition, we will not play politics. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call to order the member for Roe and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : We will not play politics as members opposite do, because this issue is far too important. This is about making sure that we put in place the very best possible processes and mechanisms, be it legislation or extra resources for the department, to ensure that the difficult job that the staff of the Department for Community Development do is supported and resourced. That is my commitment; that is what I will keep doing. As I said, this government has a very, very strong record that compares very favourably with the pathetic efforts of members opposite.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call to order the member for Roe and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : We will not play politics as members opposite do, because this issue is far too important. This is about making sure that we put in place the very best possible processes and mechanisms, be it legislation or extra resources for the department, to ensure that the difficult job that the staff of the Department for Community Development do is supported and resourced. That is my commitment; that is what I will keep doing. As I said, this government has a very, very strong record that compares very favourably with the pathetic efforts of members opposite.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call to order the member for Roe and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : We will not play politics as members opposite do, because this issue is far too important. This is about making sure that we put in place the very best possible processes and mechanisms, be it legislation or extra resources for the department, to ensure that the difficult job that the staff of the Department for Community Development do is supported and resourced. That is my commitment; that is what I will keep doing. As I said, this government has a very, very strong record that compares very favourably with the pathetic efforts of members opposite.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : We will not play politics as members opposite do, because this issue is far too important. This is about making sure that we put in place the very best possible processes and mechanisms, be it legislation or extra resources for the department, to ensure that the difficult job that the staff of the Department for Community Development do is supported and resourced. That is my commitment; that is what I will keep doing. As I said, this government has a very, very strong record that compares very favourably with the pathetic efforts of members opposite.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN replied: I thank the member for Maylands for that very important question. Before I give my answer, I acknowledge the presence in the gallery of the wonderful students from Frederick Irwin Anglican School in Mandurah, which is the fastest-growing city in Western Australia. I have already highlighted to the Leader of the Opposition the huge range of changes that have occurred under this government. I will highlight more to the member. Apart from the injection of $140 million, which is the biggest increase in the department’s budget, we have also seen funding for the 2006-07 budget of $82 million, which is more than the allocation in the last year of the coalition government. That funding increase represents 50 per cent of the budget. On current budget papers alone, at the time of the next election the department will receive more than $100 million extra every year than when the coalition government left office - an amount of $268.8 million compared with $162.7 million in its time. The whole focus of the budget allocation is to provide more officers and staff on the ground working with children and vulnerable families to make sure that we are strengthening the protection of children. The budget staff allocation - which represents a staffing level of 363 FTEs - represents an increase of 30 per cent from when members opposite were in government. Unlike the opposition, we will not play politics. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call to order the member for Roe and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : We will not play politics as members opposite do, because this issue is far too important. This is about making sure that we put in place the very best possible processes and mechanisms, be it legislation or extra resources for the department, to ensure that the difficult job that the staff of the Department for Community Development do is supported and resourced. That is my commitment; that is what I will keep doing. As I said, this government has a very, very strong record that compares very favourably with the pathetic efforts of members opposite.
I thank the member for Maylands for that very important question. Before I give my answer, I acknowledge the presence in the gallery of the wonderful students from Frederick Irwin Anglican School in Mandurah, which is the fastest-growing city in Western Australia. I have already highlighted to the Leader of the Opposition the huge range of changes that have occurred under this government. I will highlight more to the member. Apart from the injection of $140 million, which is the biggest increase in the department’s budget, we have also seen funding for the 2006-07 budget of $82 million, which is more than the allocation in the last year of the coalition government. That funding increase represents 50 per cent of the budget. On current budget papers alone, at the time of the next election the department will receive more than $100 million extra every year than when the coalition government left office - an amount of $268.8 million compared with $162.7 million in its time. The whole focus of the budget allocation is to provide more officers and staff on the ground working with children and vulnerable families to make sure that we are strengthening the protection of children. The budget staff allocation - which represents a staffing level of 363 FTEs - represents an increase of 30 per cent from when members opposite were in government. Unlike the opposition, we will not play politics. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call to order the member for Roe and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : We will not play politics as members opposite do, because this issue is far too important. This is about making sure that we put in place the very best possible processes and mechanisms, be it legislation or extra resources for the department, to ensure that the difficult job that the staff of the Department for Community Development do is supported and resourced. That is my commitment; that is what I will keep doing. As I said, this government has a very, very strong record that compares very favourably with the pathetic efforts of members opposite.
I have already highlighted to the Leader of the Opposition the huge range of changes that have occurred under this government. I will highlight more to the member. Apart from the injection of $140 million, which is the biggest increase in the department’s budget, we have also seen funding for the 2006-07 budget of $82 million, which is more than the allocation in the last year of the coalition government. That funding increase represents 50 per cent of the budget. On current budget papers alone, at the time of the next election the department will receive more than $100 million extra every year than when the coalition government left office - an amount of $268.8 million compared with $162.7 million in its time. The whole focus of the budget allocation is to provide more officers and staff on the ground working with children and vulnerable families to make sure that we are strengthening the protection of children. The budget staff allocation - which represents a staffing level of 363 FTEs - represents an increase of 30 per cent from when members opposite were in government. Unlike the opposition, we will not play politics. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call to order the member for Roe and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : We will not play politics as members opposite do, because this issue is far too important. This is about making sure that we put in place the very best possible processes and mechanisms, be it legislation or extra resources for the department, to ensure that the difficult job that the staff of the Department for Community Development do is supported and resourced. That is my commitment; that is what I will keep doing. As I said, this government has a very, very strong record that compares very favourably with the pathetic efforts of members opposite.
The whole focus of the budget allocation is to provide more officers and staff on the ground working with children and vulnerable families to make sure that we are strengthening the protection of children. The budget staff allocation - which represents a staffing level of 363 FTEs - represents an increase of 30 per cent from when members opposite were in government. Unlike the opposition, we will not play politics. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call to order the member for Roe and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : We will not play politics as members opposite do, because this issue is far too important. This is about making sure that we put in place the very best possible processes and mechanisms, be it legislation or extra resources for the department, to ensure that the difficult job that the staff of the Department for Community Development do is supported and resourced. That is my commitment; that is what I will keep doing. As I said, this government has a very, very strong record that compares very favourably with the pathetic efforts of members opposite.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call to order the member for Roe and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : We will not play politics as members opposite do, because this issue is far too important. This is about making sure that we put in place the very best possible processes and mechanisms, be it legislation or extra resources for the department, to ensure that the difficult job that the staff of the Department for Community Development do is supported and resourced. That is my commitment; that is what I will keep doing. As I said, this government has a very, very strong record that compares very favourably with the pathetic efforts of members opposite.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call to order the member for Roe and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : We will not play politics as members opposite do, because this issue is far too important. This is about making sure that we put in place the very best possible processes and mechanisms, be it legislation or extra resources for the department, to ensure that the difficult job that the staff of the Department for Community Development do is supported and resourced. That is my commitment; that is what I will keep doing. As I said, this government has a very, very strong record that compares very favourably with the pathetic efforts of members opposite.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : We will not play politics as members opposite do, because this issue is far too important. This is about making sure that we put in place the very best possible processes and mechanisms, be it legislation or extra resources for the department, to ensure that the difficult job that the staff of the Department for Community Development do is supported and resourced. That is my commitment; that is what I will keep doing. As I said, this government has a very, very strong record that compares very favourably with the pathetic efforts of members opposite.
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