Page 3697 - Week 12 - Thursday, 25 November 2021
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The ACT, for example, has the highest rate of electric vehicle ownership in Australia per capita. That is an example of our starting to put in place the policies. I am the first one to walk into this place and say we have more work to do. I think to just come in here, having taken no policies to the election, not one, and then basically ask a whole series of questions about the policies we have done is fine; ask them. But have a little humility in the way that you approach the asking of those questions.
This investment continues to support our community. It does, as I have just articulated in my comments, provide significant support to households. I have not even spoken about the Sustainable Household Scheme that sits in the Chief Minister’s portfolio responsibilities but which has been taken up enthusiastically by our community because they too want to contribute to emissions reduction.
Across the range of initiatives I have just spoken about, whether it is through the various low income support schemes, the support for community clubs, the support for community organisations, this government is not only delivering significant emissions reductions but continuing to empower our community to take the next steps as we all learn. There is no playbook for this. We have got to work it out as we go. We are working with our community to work it out. I think the numbers speak for themselves in terms of the impact that is being made. I commend this output class of the budget to the Assembly.
MS ORR (Yerrabi) (11.56): I rise today to briefly touch on some environment and planning initiatives I have been particularly happy to see included in this government’s budget. These initiatives are Yerrabi focused, and I would like to take the time to go over them in the chamber, on behalf of my constituents.
As I have said many times in this place, the Gungahlin region holds one of the highest rates of population growth in the country. I am therefore delighted to note that this government will be maintaining and growing affordable housing in Yerrabi, with the Gungahlin Common Ground build-to-rent project. Funds are being allocated to support initial work, planning and design for the first stage of the build-to-rent affordable rental project co-located with Common Ground Gungahlin.
Common Ground is already doing excellent work in Gungahlin’s town centre, providing affordable rent to those in the community who need it most, in a safe, supportive, diverse, harmonious and inclusive, fashion. The addition of this build-to-rent project is a much-welcomed initiative, and I sincerely look forward to its development in the coming years.
This government’s budget protects both people and the environment. In addition to building Common Ground in the town centre, the Franklin grasslands will also see some additional attention. Indeed, this budget’s Franklin Nature Reserve enhancement initiative will ensure that environmental biodiversity offset commitments will continue to be delivered to support land releases as part of the Gungahlin strategic assessment. This includes the employment of rangers and other staff to deliver the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act requirements in supporting the delivery of the government indicative land release program.
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