Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I will deal with the latter part of the question first. I am unaware of whether there has been a lack of consultation, but I will certainly take that part on notice. The concerns raised in the correspondence from Centacare Catholic Family Services about a proposed refocus towards at-risk and disadvantaged clients related to early intervention services that are the responsibility of the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. But, broadly, there will be no narrowing of the target group for postseparation services funded by the department. Specifically in relation to the waiting period, I do not have anything within the brief that identifies that there is an eight-week wait. I take it that the issue you have raised about an eight-week period is a serious issue, and I will seek further information about that specific matter.