Page 333 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 14 February 2017
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Assembly negotiated between the Labor and Greens parties sets out a progressive agenda that builds on the positive outcomes of previous agreements and reflects the shared policy program that Canberrans supported. It covers health care, education, an integrated transport network, social housing, housing affordability, inclusivity, protecting the environment, and mitigating climate change amongst many other key areas.
This is the government’s commitment to Canberrans. Canberrans continue to want a progressive government. They voted for a progressive government in October last year, and that is what we will deliver.
Over the past 12 weeks we have worked hard so that we can start delivering on our promises. Amongst many pieces of work we have delivered the funding to commence the essential first steps of stage 2 of the city-defining light rail network; become a signatory under the international Under2 MOU renewable energy movement; purchased green bins for Kambah and Weston Creek which we will soon roll out to registered homes; established a new Office for Disability and an Office for LGBTIQ Affairs and we are establishing an office for mental health; saved the Environmental Defenders Office and the important work that it does following federal Liberal cuts and local Liberal indifference; removed hurdles to increase organ donation rates; delivered a strong and effective awareness campaign about the importance of backyard swimming pool safety; run a series of welcome events to make new students feel at home in our city; and commenced the necessary committee processes to review and improve the Electoral Act and establish an ACT integrity commission.
We have started the business case work for the new nurse-led walk-in centres, the work to buy electronic devices for all ACT public high school students and the work to establish the new urban renewal authority which will build the future of our CBD. And that is just the start.
The government committed to a range of projects in the election campaign and Canberrans chose us to deliver them. Our city’s economy is strong. Our unemployment rate continues to be low despite many significant economic challenges thrown at this city in the past few years. Business confidence continues to grow, and we are firm on our commitment to return the budget to balance when we stepped in to protect the local economy after the savage federal cuts from 2014 onwards. Our economy is now on a path of stable, strong and diversified growth.
To continue this, the government is introducing important policies that impact on the everyday lives of Canberrans. By funding the services and infrastructure Canberrans voted for we are securing a better future for our city. The mandate for light rail is clear; two elections have proved this. Canberrans want light rail. Canberrans voted for a north-south light rail spine linking Gungahlin to Woden and beyond. Construction of stage 1 is progressing rapidly. It is on schedule, and work to build stage 2 has commenced. The procurement of professional services to the ACT government for stage 2 is now underway. These tenders went to market in November and have been well received by industry.
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