CHILDREN'S CENTRES

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (14:31): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for the Status of Women a question about children's centres.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: One of the objectives of the Women's Information Service is an outreach program for regular visits to children's centres and early childhood development and parenting in the metropolitan and outer metropolitan area. My questions are:

1. What issues have been identified as a result of this program?

2. Is there any input from the Women's Information Service into planned future children's services?

3. What are the expected outcomes?

4. Are any of the children's services that exist in those areas expected to close as a result of future development of children's services by this government?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy) (14:32): Indeed, a number of services have been put into that area and other regions. In relation to the work that has been done on children's services, I do not have those details to hand but I am happy to take those questions on notice and bring back a response.