Page 448 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 13 March 2007
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second brand new complex of supported accommodation and independent living units for our ageing population.
The existing Morling Lodge facility is reaching the end of its useful life. The plan is for BCS to build its new facility at Griffith, relocate residents from Morling Lodge to Griffith and then redevelop the Morling Lodge site, thereby causing minimum uncertainty and disruption to residents and their families.
Importantly, the redevelopment of the Morling Lodge site will assist in the context of the current debate over affordability. The work across the two sites will deliver 60 additional beds and a suite of options. In relation to this significant record, we should reflect on the fact that, in six years of government, those opposite delivered 14 beds in total—14 beds in six and a half years, three a year and one to spare. Absolutely disgraceful!
MR GENTLEMAN: I ask a supplementary question. Can the Chief Minister tell the Assembly how the government has acted to speed up the provision of land for aged care in the ACT?
MR STANHOPE: I think the first and most important thing we did to speed up the delivery of aged care beds in the ACT was, of course, to get rid of the mob opposite. I think the fundamentally important thing that was achieved was to throw the Liberals out of government. The commitment of the Liberal Party to an ageing population in the ACT over 6½ years in government was to deliver 14 additional aged care beds for our community.
Ms Hargreaves: That is two each, Jon; two each.
MR STANHOPE: That is exactly right: 14 beds in 6½ years. That was this party’s commitment to an ageing community, an ageing population, in 6½ years in government. They delivered the grand total of 14 beds—three a year.
Mr Pratt: Two a year.
MR STANHOPE: Two a year, you are right. Mr Pratt has reminded me that it was actually two a year. I am sorry; my maths was out. Mr Pratt, you are right; it is two a year. Two beds a year, Mr Pratt, over 6½ years—two beds a year and one for the half year. You are quite right, Mr Pratt. You maintained the ratio in the half year of your final year in government. So two a year and, in the final year—not a full year admittedly—you delivered one bed.
That is the Liberal Party’s commitment. That is how they work in government. That is how they plan for the future. That is the extent of their commitment and it is also a reflection of their priorities. This issue of priorities is important because, as we know, and as the shadow treasurer continues to remind us, in government, if they ever win again, the Liberal Party will not collect up to $100 million of tax. They will not collect the water abstraction charge, they will not collect—
Opposition members interjecting—
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