Page 2219 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 4 August 2015

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MR BARR: I thank Ms Lawder for the question. The insinuation in her question is wrong, and I would invite Ms Lawder to watch this space in relation to future government investments in infrastructure.

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Lawder.

MS LAWDER: Chief Minister, is the extension of the light rail route to Russell under active consideration and how much extra would this extension cost?

MR BARR: Yes, and that matter is to be determined.

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Coe.

MR COE: Chief Minister, why have you cut 60 beds at the new UC hospital but you are going ahead full steam with light rail?

MR BARR: We have not, Madam Speaker.

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Coe.

MR COE: Chief Minister, will annual payments for the capital metro send the territory budget back into the red when it is completed? If not, what services will be cut or taxes increased to cover the cost of operating capital metro?

MR BARR: No, and the government will make further announcements in relation to future budgets at budget time.

Schools—safety

DR BOURKE: My question is to the Minister for Education and Training. Minister, how is the ACT government working with school communities to improve the safety of the roads and car parks of ACT government schools?

MS BURCH: I thank Dr Bourke for his question. As members will be aware, I am very pleased to have joined the Chief Minister yesterday at Ainslie School to announce a broad suite of measures designed to make our school traffic precinct safer.

The safety of children going to and from ACT schools is extremely important and something that this government takes seriously. While our school zones have historically been safe, there is growing community concern about traffic incidents near our schools. Indeed, last year ACT Policing issued 1,372 traffic infringement notices and cautions in school zones. This is far too many.

This is why, in my capacity as Minister for Police and Emergency Services, I made road safety around our schools a priority in the recent purchase agreement with ACT Policing. It is also why I was pleased to announce, with the Chief Minister and Chief Police Officer yesterday, that there would be a blitz targeting speeding and dangerous parking in our school zones. Members will also be aware that this government is considering trialling a 30 kilometre per hour speed limit at selected high risk schools.


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