Page 332 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 9 February 2021
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
That is why we are embedding the Wellbeing Framework in our policy design and decision-making as we move into the next budget, a little over six months away, for fiscal year 2021-22.
The framework will be the guiding platform by which new policies, new programs and initiatives, and future budget decisions, will be developed and assessed.
Keeping Canberrans healthy
Over the past year, the government’s focus has been to keep Canberra safe from COVID-19 and to protect local jobs.
Everything is predicated on the strength of our health response—a response that has, to date, worked exceptionally well.
With vaccines becoming available, this budget will deliver the additional funding necessary to support a successful and effective rollout across the territory.
It will be a major logistical and operational exercise, in partnership with the commonwealth government.
In addition to the vaccine rollout, we must continue to have the capability to respond quickly if the need arises. Therefore, the government is increasing funding for the Chief Health Officer and her team, and for our COVID-19 testing facilities. This includes funding for continued staffing and operational costs for case investigation, contact tracing, medical and public health specialists, and quarantine processes.
The government will continue the construction of the Canberra Hospital expansion, which will increase our health capacity and deliver more services for Canberrans.
Upgrades are also set to continue at Canberra Hospital to support the territory’s COVID-19 response, with work to keep pathology running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, during the public health emergency.
We will continue to build on the success of our nurse-led walk-in centres and work with local communities by commencing work on four new walk-in health centres and opening the centre in Coombs—as the Minister for Health discussed at length in question time today.
As the pandemic unfolded there was also an increase in Canberrans, particularly young Canberrans, seeking mental health support. This budget will increase spending on mental health services, including Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and the Adolescent Mobile Outreach Service.
Climate action—ACT will keep leading the nation
The government has a proud track record of implementing science-based action to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video