Page 183 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 14 February 2018

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it, Mrs Dunne? Is the ACT government investing too much or are we investing not enough? I struggle to follow.

Mrs Dunne: Plainly you did not listen either.

MS CHEYNE: I heard you mostly in silence. Pay me the respect.

MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Please address the Speaker, Ms Cheyne.

MS CHEYNE: Mr Assistant Speaker, for someone who was so critical, who banged the table multiple times during her speech, who criticised my motion at length, I have never heard my name used so many times in a 10-minute period. Where is her amendment to my motion? Why will she not amend this motion with her policy alternatives if what we are doing is so wrong? She does not have any policy alternatives. She does not have any. And she is silent now.

Mrs Dunne: Just you wait and see.

MS CHEYNE: Just we wait? How long have we been waiting for? Fifteen years, that is right.

Mrs Dunne: There are some people on the waiting list that long.

MS CHEYNE: Excuse me, Mrs Dunne, I heard you mostly in silence, pay me the same respect.

As we have heard, we are seeing great progress across Canberra’s healthcare system, from significant health facilities to improved existing facilities, new speciality services, and investment in cutting-edge research and development. Our health system is accommodating the needs of our growing population.

As you can see from the motion before you today, the list of our current and planned activities on this front is long. It is very long. What it means, though, is very clear. It means that we care and we are willing to commit the resources to make sure our health system delivers the very best for the Canberra community.

Looking at our investment in the heath sector, it is characterised by the understanding that people’s health needs are complex and they are personal. We are conscious that everyone in our community has different health needs and preferences. That is why we are investing across the breadth of health facilities and services, encompassing mental and physical health, preventive and curative medicine and research and development.

This government recognises the power and importance of mental health and wellbeing. It is an absolutely crucial aspect of any healthcare system and, as you heard from the Minister for Mental Health, we have committed millions of dollars for mental health initiatives in this year’s budget.


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