Page 2887 - Week 10 - Thursday, 7 October 2021
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
MS ORR: Minister, what additional support is in the budget for workplace safety initiatives?
MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Ms Orr for her interest in workplace safety, as well. The budget provides funding to implement the recommendations from the Secure Local Jobs Advisory Council review of the operations of the secure local jobs code. The recommendations were provided to me at the end of last year, outlining a plan for enhancing the secure local jobs code. We want to ensure that the code remains nationally, and that we only do business with ethical suppliers. This funding will grow and support the secure local jobs code branch to deliver important policy work and strengthen the powers of the secure local jobs code registrar. The review recommended that a two-stage procurement policy be adopted, and this work is already under way. I look forward to delivering legislation to the Assembly with Minister Steel in the near future. This budget’s additional funding will support the implementation of the two-stage procurement policy.
The pandemic has shown us that secure jobs are safe jobs. As a government, we do everything in our power to support secure jobs. This includes using our contractual powers. I am glad that this budget demonstrates the government’s ongoing commitment to secure local jobs.
Budget—Canberra Theatre Centre complex
MS LAWDER: Madam Speaker, my question is to the Minister for the Arts. Minister, in 2014 a feasibility study for a potential new theatre was announced, which accounted for approximately $200,000 between the 2015 and 2017 financial years. In the 2017-18 budget, $100,000 was dedicated to a Canberra theatre complex community consultation. In the 2018-19 budget, approximately $1.1 million was committed to the early planning of the new Canberra theatre. In the 2020-21 budget, another $400,000 was dedicated to the early planning of the new Canberra theatre complex. In the statement of ambition released last Thursday, there is $2.7 million set aside for the new Canberra Theatre Centre site investigation and planning. Minister, how much will go on planning a new theatre before a sod is turned?
MS CHEYNE: I thank Ms Lawder for her question and for her support for the redevelopment of the Canberra theatre. This is a very important project for us here in the ACT. It is one that we reference regularly because it is a really significant infrastructure project but also it is going to contribute to the wellbeing of this city and it supports our statement of ambition to be recognised as Australia’s arts capital.
There are particular processes that are required for the commencement of such a significant build. Ms Lawder is right, or to an extent right, that the government is providing $2.779 million in capital funding over two years for the preparations—site investigation, planning and the business case for the Canberra Theatre Centre expansion and redevelopment.
The redevelopment of the theatre will enable it to host a larger number and range of local, national and international events. The site investigations—
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video