Page 222 - Week 01 - Thursday, 15 December 2016
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I now turn to the topic of our territory’s proud heritage. For tens of thousands of years the Ngunnawal people have known this region as their country, their homeland. We are now into the second century of also recognising this place as our home and our national capital. This history means we have many unique stories to share and many places and objects to protect for future generations to enjoy. We should make sure that locals and visitors alike have the ability to understand this place, to understand that our story is more than just the past 100 years and that it runs back tens of thousands of years, and to understand that we are creating future heritage, future stories, right here and now, each and every day.
The ACT government will finalise a five-year heritage strategy. The preparation and implementation of the strategy will determine a range of strategic priorities and actions that will further recognise, protect, conserve and promote our heritage assets, building on the framework of the existing legislation and initiatives such as Canberra tracks, the Canberra and Region Heritage Festival and the heritage grants.
Turning to my other portfolio responsibilities of police and emergency services, Labor is committed to building a safe and resilient community. All Canberrans should be safe, and feel safe, from crime. One of the highest priorities of any government should be caring for the safety and security of its residents and visitors. As minister, my intent is to continue to support police and the justice system to provide a safe community that encourages people to live, work and enjoy a vibrant lifestyle in Canberra.
Criminals should also be sent a strong message. I want to support police to discourage criminal activity and groups that seek to introduce harm to our community through drugs, firearms, fortified premises and other forms of criminal intent.
As minister, I will work with police and emergency services personnel to continue to support them through investment in infrastructure, personnel and equipment. This includes a continued focus on preventing and responding to bushfires, responding to alcohol-related violence, ensuring our public spaces are safe and attractive places to visit, continuing to implement the Emergency Services Agency’s strategic reform agenda, and investing in new infrastructure and equipment, including enhanced mental health services for emergency services personnel, and significant commitments around new Fire & Rescue and paramedic crews.
We will continue work to prevent and respond to family violence. ACT Policing are ensuring that front-line responses to incidents are timely, consistent and comprehensive, and are working collaboratively across government to ensure a joined-up response to addressing this important community issue.
The issues I have raised in this place today will comprise my key priorities in my portfolios in this term of government, to help make Canberra an even better place to work, live and play for all.
I present the following paper:
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