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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 8 Hansard (26 June) . . Page.. 2246 ..

MR HARGREAVES (continuing):

Mr Speaker, we need high-quality facilities and infrastructure in order to provide high-quality services to the people of Brindabella. "What about the kids," Mr Speaker, "I hear you ask loudly?"

MR SPEAKER: It wasn't me.

MR HARGREAVES: It wasn't you-it must have been Mr Smyth. "What about the kids," I hear you ask. Well, funny you should ask.

Mr Smyth: Perhaps it's the empty hollow echoing in your mind.

MR HARGREAVES: Sorry, your place has been taken by a person who is much younger than you are.

The Chief Minister opened a new child and youth dental health clinic in the Tuggeranong Health Centre in May. The clinic is part of ACT Community Care's expanding network of community health facilities.

Mr Smyth: Who funded it and who started it?

MR HARGREAVES: Here we go again, Mr Speaker-"We started it, you finished it." Well, you started the Bruce Stadium but we finished that as well. You started Hall/Kinlyside and we finished that. Do you want me to keep going or is it too embarrassing for you?

Mr Smyth: No. Keep going, keep going.

MR HARGREAVES: You started the election and we finished that.

Mr Smyth: Keep going, keep going.

MR HARGREAVES: One of these days you will get used to being the opposition. You might as well-you are going to be there for a fair while.

The clinic has been extended to include three additional surgeries and has an extensive range of new equipment, including six high-quality chairs with a full complement of operating equipment. ACT Community Care's dental health program provides services to promote good oral health through a targeted health promotion strategy, as well as assessment and treatment of existing dental problems. "Good move, good move government," I say.

Mr Speaker, the government has acted on its commitment to improve public transport in the ACT by announcing a $46.8 million increase in funding for ACTION over five years. Public transport is critically important to Canberra's social and economic future, and the Stanhope government is committed to getting people out of cars and onto public transport in any of its forms.

Public transport policies and funding are a priority issue for this government. We are working on improving the mobility of the public to use sustainable public transport systems. I heard another sling from across the chamber, but I have to say that the last

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