Page 2689 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 10 August 2016
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condolences to the family of the worker who has lost his life and we have also extended every possible assistance to the contractor and workers on the site who have suffered trauma and distress as a result of this horrific accident. Whilst we can only wait for the outcomes of investigations to be complete into the cause of and responsibility for what has occurred, we will be continuing to work very closely with our contractors to make sure the project continues to be delivered for our community.
I note that Mrs Dunne has raised some concerns about the use of generators on the site. The first point I make about that is that only one generator is used 24-7; the other two are utilised during working hours only. One generator is required for essential power for lighting and other activities that need to be maintained throughout the night. Secondly, the decision to use generators is a matter for the contractor, not the ACTÂ government. It does not affect the overall price the government pays for the delivery of the project. Thirdly, the decision to use generators is not uncommon for green and brownfield redevelopment sites. Indeed, generators have been used for other health projects until building is at a stage where mains power can be connected. This includes projects such as the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children where, again, generators were used for a period of time before mains power was connected, and for a range of other health projects.
That said, the government recognises the concerns raised by adjacent residents and we have been diligent in ensuring that the performance of the generators and the noise associated with them is within the standards required of the Environment Protection Authority. We will continue to look closely at these matters and make sure the contractor is meeting their obligations in relation to noise standards. I am aware the contractor has taken a range of steps to help ameliorate noise and to meet the necessary environmental protection standards. Finally, it is the case that mains power is due to be connected later this year and the government is working with the contractor to see whether or not that program can be brought forward to further ameliorate the concerns of residents in the adjacent area.
I am pleased to say that the government is making sure Canberra is at the forefront of health service delivery and technology. We are delivering $7.3 million in new diagnosis and patient care technology that will allow new and existing drug therapies to be tailored to meet the individual needs of patients based on their genetic predisposition. The establishment of this new clinical genomic service will help clinicians to manage patients with immunological disease and other complex diseases through the use of personalised medicine. The new genomics program will build on existing research, expertise and achievements of the Centre for Personalised Immunology at the John Curtin School of Medical Research at the ANU. This funding will help put Canberra at the cutting edge of these new and exciting clinical developments.
In conclusion, the funding initiatives contained in this budget are not just a list of additional services; they are part of the government’s plan to ensure that Canberrans can access a safe, effective and timely health system that meets their needs. As part of this commitment we will continue to work with the community, the clinical workforce, private service providers, non-government organisations and key stakeholders to deliver strong results for the people who use, rely upon and work in our healthcare system.
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