Page 2901 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 30 June 2010

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use. Obviously, for example, if someone requires an ambulance and they have perhaps been involved in a motor accident immediately outside Canberra but where an ACT ambulance responds, which can occur from time to time, it is more expensive than a call for an ambulance within the territory.

This is why we always encourage Canberrans to take out health insurance. Indeed, for a very low fee you can get full ambulance cover to cover all the costs of an ambulance service should you require it in the territory.

MS HUNTER: A supplementary.

MR SPEAKER: Yes, Ms Hunter.

MS HUNTER: Minister, does the government receive requests from people who cannot afford to repay the cost of an ambulance trip and, if so, can you advise how many requests have been received in this financial year?

MR CORBELL: Yes, the government does receive requests for waivers of fees. They are considered in accordance with policy established by the Ambulance Service and are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Childcare—places

MR COE: My question is to the Minister for Disability, Housing and Community Services. Minister, for the 2008 election ACT Labor promised to allocate $4 million to build two new childcare centres in areas of high demand. In the 2010 budget, $4 million was allocated to refurbish part of the former Flynn primary school for a childcare centre. Minister, which of the childcare centres promised in 2008 have been delivered?

MS BURCH: We have committed to bringing on more childcare places, more childcare services and more childcare centres. Flynn is the one we have invested in in this budget. As we have heard, Gumnut and Alkira are looking forward to that move.

We have also recognised in the west Belconnen and Weston areas the need for childcare centres. The children’s services forum and the sector itself have ongoing discussions about the best priority and sites for those childcare centres. That responds to the businesses’ own desires and needs about their location in response to the needs of the ACT.

MR SPEAKER: Mr Coe, a supplementary?

MR COE: Yes, Mr Speaker. Minister, when will ACT Labor fulfil this promise, and, with respect to these new childcare centres, how many new spaces are there?

MS BURCH: I did not hear the last bit of the question.

MR SPEAKER: Can you repeat it, Mr Coe?


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