Page 3953 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 1 December 2021
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MADAM SPEAKER: Sit down, Mr Hanson.
Mr Hanson: Madam Speaker, it is not on relevance. It is about debating. I would ask if he is debating the question rather than answering it.
MADAM SPEAKER: Well, you are debating the matter, so sit down.
MR BARR: Thank you. The question is political and demands a political response. Let us be clear about that—this is not a question seeking information; it is a question seeking to score a cheap political point. And I am responding with an equally sharp political point that the opposition do not like, hence we have a Muppet Show-like performance with everyone jumping up getting a little bit excited. Animal will start playing the drum solo fairly shortly, Madam Speaker.
Canberra Hospital—master plan
DR PATERSON: My question is for the Minister for Health. Minister, can you please update the Assembly on how the Canberra Hospital master plan, released today, will transform the Canberra Hospital campus for the community?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I thank Dr Paterson for the question. Today is an exciting day for the launch of the Canberra Hospital master plan. This is a significant piece of work that brings together this government’s commitment to real investment in the ACT’s health infrastructure and reflects the community’s vision for a modern, person-centred Canberra Hospital.
The master plan takes a long-term view of health service delivery in the ACT and will strategically guide investment at the Canberra Hospital campus over the next 20 years. The master plan presents a practical vision for the campus for improved clinical functionality, amenity, accessibility and longevity of the hospital. It is a crucial pathway for meeting increased healthcare demand over the coming years, replacing assets, investing in the campus and achieving net zero emissions in line with commitments made by this government.
A key aspect of the master plan will be the opening up and greening of the campus. The upgrades and improvements set out in the plan make best use of the campus and the open space network that can be made available to patients, visitors and staff. This will complement new buildings, roads and paths to ensure that high quality facilities, cultural representation and wayfinding for the diverse users of the campus. These new spaces on the campus will include more areas to rest, exercise, learn, read, reflect, decompress and get together with family.
As the hospital campus is growing, and will continue to evolve, the master plan will be able to address important issues such as vehicle, public transport and pedestrian access to and through the campus as well as parking for campus users. In the 2021-22 ACT budget, we have already started that investment, with $3 million to commence feasibility and design work for a new multistorey car park at the Canberra Hospital. This will complement work that is already underway as part of the Canberra Hospital expansion, which is already revitalising the campus.
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