Page 956 - Week 03 - Thursday, 22 March 2018

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ACT Labor to upgrading Ashley Drive, scheduling completion for 2015-16. After failing to deliver on this, you again promised to upgrade Ashley Drive during the 2016 election, or at least part of it before finally agreeing to the full duplication. You announced it would be completed in 2017. We are now at the end of March 2018. Minister, is the Ashley Drive duplication on time and on budget?

MS FITZHARRIS: Yes, the Ashley Drive duplication is scheduled to be completed in about a month, at around the end of April. I believe, yes, it is on budget.

MS LAWDER: Minister, were there any ActewAGL pipes that needed to be re-laid as a result of the duplication of Ashley Drive and, if so, who is responsible for the cost of the re-laying?

MS FITZHARRIS: Yes, I am aware that there were utilities that needed to be moved. I will clarify and come back to the Assembly on which particular utility. That would be the responsibility of the project. Therefore, it would have been a cost that the government would have borne but of course we are needing to work very closely with the utility owner.

MR STEEL: Minister, what are the benefits of the Ashley Drive duplication for people on the south side?

MS FITZHARRIS: Like a number of other road projects around the territory, this road duplication provides considerable benefit for motorists and also for those catching public transport, notably buses. The road duplication of Ashley Drive has also included significant pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure, including a new pedestrian bridge, noise walls near local residents and upgrading of important intersections, which also significantly improves safety.

Health—cancer patients

MRS KIKKERT: My question is to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. Minister, cancer patients in Canberra’s hospitals often face large out-of-pocket expenses including for medication, transportation, surgical clothing, braces and special diets. Many patients also quit their work or go on leave without pay while undergoing treatment. What support does the ACT government provide cancer patients and other people with serious conditions to assist with out-of-pocket expenses?

MS FITZHARRIS: There is a range of ways that the ACT government assists cancer patients, notably through the Canberra Region Cancer Centre. I will take the specific question on notice.

MRS KIKKERT: Minister, does the government have an understanding of what the total out-of-pocket costs are for cancer patients? If so, would you please provide that information to the Assembly?

MS FITZHARRIS: Yes, I will.


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