Page 1259 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 11 April 2018
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MS BERRY: Access to affordable housing options is a national issue. Negotiations are still continuing for a new national housing and homelessness agreement to secure funding to support homelessness programs within the ACT and across the country. Work in other jurisdictions is also underway to progress legal reforms such as reducing or removing conveyancing duties to support people who are buying their first home.
I am disappointed that an increase in funding has not been offered, despite the fact that the federal government has sought to expand the scope of the agreement. I welcome the inclusion of affordable home purchases in the agreement but the commonwealth government provides no additional funding for states and territories to be able to achieve it. I have continually called on the federal government to make changes within their policy control to promote housing affordability.
In the ACT we have committed to finding options and pursuing initiatives at our level of government to tackle these issues and I again call on the federal government to introduce reforms around negative gearing and capital gains tax which will take some heat out of the national housing market.
ACT Health—proposed organisational changes
MISS C BURCH: My question is to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. Minister, yesterday you advised the Assembly on the purpose of splitting ACT Health into two organisations. You said:
The change will streamline governance, management and reporting lines and provide a more effective and efficient governance model.
Minister, what are the most significant changes in the governance model that will contribute to efficiencies?
MS FITZHARRIS: As I outlined in my previous response, the precise implementation of this change is currently underway. Those issues will be worked through over the next six months, in consultation with stakeholders, staff and the community. I have every confidence in the team leading this change.
MISS C BURCH: Minister, what is your estimate of the annual financial savings from the more efficient governance model?
MS FITZHARRIS: It is interesting that the Liberals are asking about savings in health. Usually we know what that means, coming from the Liberals. It is usually about cuts in health. We have seen cuts in health from Liberal governments right across this country.
I am confident that the hardworking, skilled staff of ACT Health will continue to deliver the health services our community needs as it grows and as it ages. I look forward to the work over the coming months to design, in consultation, a structure—
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