Page 3756 - Week 12 - Thursday, 25 November 2021
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as soon as possible. Ensuring that this project stays on track will be incredibly important. Increased staffing for Major Projects will, hopefully, mean that we are delivering fully on our major infrastructure plan. The disruption task force is part of this project. It is a really important way to encourage behaviour change and mode shift for our south-side residents. I look forward to working closely with my ministerial colleagues and members in Murrumbidgee to get the best outcomes in that area.
Major Projects also incorporates Woden CIT and the bus interchange, light rail stage 2 to Woden, and the Canberra Hospital expansion. It is a good budget for Woden. I was really pleased to hear updates during estimates about some of the sustainable design elements, particularly at Woden CIT. I am keen to see all of our major projects reducing their scope 3 emissions, progressing our ISCA ratings and using sensible ideas like onsite organic composting.
There are a few elements in Woden CIT that we would like to see included. We are pleased that we are getting a youth foyer. During estimates I had a great conversation with officials about the anticipated inclusion of some other spaces—a gallery space and perhaps a performance space. It will be great if we can include those for the kids on campus and for the whole community in that area.
Light rail stage 2 and the Woden bus interchange will deliver on the government’s strong commitment to developing good public transport infrastructure that will shape our city for decades to come. I am a strong advocate for these projects and for improving public transport across our city. My constituents in Ginninderra are eager for work to begin on light rail stage 3 to Belconnen. We know that we have a long wait and it will be many years before that work begins, but we are keen to see the pre-feasibility work that will extend light rail all the way out to Kippax. Getting community involvement early will help a smooth transition from developing stage 2 to stage 3.
I am delighted to see the increase in staffing and the dedication to a highly qualified public sector staff to help us deliver on this ambitious major projects agenda. We are happy to support this budget.
Proposed expenditure agreed to.
Canberra Institute of Technology—Part 1.13
MR MILLIGAN (Yerrabi) (5.15): In response to the appropriation for CIT, I firstly acknowledge the efforts of CIT—its teachers, staff and especially the students—who faced up to and managed a continuously challenging year over the past 12 months. It is a difficult time to be in education, changing from face-to-face to online learning in such a short period of time. These are nothing short of challenging circumstances.
The skills portfolio is an area where the government is failing to deliver on its promises in a timely manner. This includes management of the joint Woden CIT and bus interchange project; management of the federal JobTrainer scheme; and the provision of adequate apprenticeship places in the ACT.
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