Page 2181 - Week 07 - Thursday, 7 August 2014
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MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Doszpot.
MR DOSZPOT: Minister, what strategy has the government been referring to when making decisions regarding community housing up until now?
MR BARR: The affordable housing strategy in its various iterations from the period of 2007. Before that, it was before my time in the Assembly.
Budget—Ginninderra initiatives
DR BOURKE: My question is to the Treasurer: can you please outline how the 2014-15 budget invests in my electorate of Ginninderra?
Opposition members interjecting—
MR BARR: I am pleased the opposition are showing some interest in the electorate of Ginninderra, outnumbered as they are.
Opposition members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Order, members. Mr Barr, if you would confine yourself to answering the question and not baiting the opposition we might get along a lot quicker.
MR BARR: It does not require much bait, I must say, But, nonetheless, it is good that there is a bit of energy left on the other side on a Thursday afternoon. I thank Dr Bourke for raising this issue, because Dr Bourke has asked more questions about Ginninderra than you lot combined.
This question relates, of course, to the wonderful array of initiatives in Ginninderra in the 2014-15 budget. Headlining these initiatives are, of course, significant investments in the health portfolio. I think we all understand that that is an area of government that is the most valued of all areas by the ACT community. This budget provides an additional $10 million for an additional eight full-time equivalent staff at the Belconnen Community Health Centre. It also provides full-year funding for the new Belconnen walk-in centre, which will provide advice and treatment for people with minor illness and injury.
The government is also planning for the longer term with significant population growth expected in this region and, of course, the continued ageing of the population. Our health system must be augmented to meet this demand for quality services. That is why the budget also contains provision for the University of Canberra public hospital that will provide subacute health services as part of the ACT’s public hospital network. This co-location of the University of Canberra provides opportunities for teaching and research through partnerships with the university.
Recognising also the role that Calvary hospital plays in the territory’s healthcare network, the government has invested in upgrading and expanding facilities at
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