Page 3877 - Week 12 - Thursday, 29 October 2015

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The NRMA commended the ACT government on being the first to provide clarity and consistency in the regulatory treatment of ride-sharing services:

“…This will better protect drivers and passengers, provide a level playing field for traditional transport providers and ultimately raise the bar for safety in the broader transport industry,” NRMA Insurance Executive General Manager, Product & Underwriting, Tracy Green said.

This is an issue that is confronting governments around the world. In the United States and in Japan, where I have been recently, the ACT government has been commended by various local government and state level jurisdictions for the approach we have taken. Many jurisdictions are interested in looking at, and in fact adopting, the framework that we have put in place here in the ACT and it is recognition of how a small jurisdiction can lead this nation and the world, attract new investment, get a better outcome for consumers but, most importantly, ensure that people can move around our city. (Time expired.)

Mr Barr: I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.

Legislative Assembly—accommodation

Statement by Speaker

MADAM SPEAKER: Members, I provide a further update on the accommodation project for the expanding Assembly. I last updated the Assembly on 13 August 2015. Following a public tender process the construction firm Built Holdings Pty Ltd was selected as the design and construction contractor. The first phase of works commenced in mid-September and involves the refurbishment of approximately 600 square metres of office space on level one of the North Building.

In my last update I advised the Assembly that the expected completion date for this phase of the works was January 2016. I am pleased to advise that the contractor has now revised that and anticipates the work will be completed prior to Christmas. This will mean that approximately 30 OLA staff spanning Hansard, technology, the library, governance, education, finance and human resources functions will relocate to the new premises across Civic Square just prior to Christmas.

This will pave the way for the second phase of works in the northern wing of the Assembly building and these works are scheduled to start in the second week of January 2016. Members will be aware that these works will result in six new suites being constructed for ministers and members, as well as improved meeting and catering facilities on level one. These works are currently scheduled to be completed by May 2016.

The third phase of the works is the replacement of carpet and repainting throughout the building and takes advantage of the construction window. However the Treasurer and I, in conjunction with the project team and other relevant officials, have been exploring funding options that would allow a further scope of building refurbishments. Doing these works in the construction window would be more cost effective and less disruptive.


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