Page 2818 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 11 October 2022
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We said we would build new schools and upgrade existing facilities to ensure every child has access to a great education. The senior campus of the Evelyn Scott School in Denman Prospect is ready to open for the 2023 school year. Construction of a new high school in Taylor is underway and on track for completion in 2024, and a new school in Strathnairn is due to open its doors the year after that.
We said we would keep working to extend Canberra’s light rail network to ensure Canberrans have more sustainable transport options. Work is underway on London Circuit as we extend the light rail network through the western and southern parts of the CBD to Commonwealth Park. Just yesterday, Minister Steel and I turned the first sod of the first section of this project to connect London Circuit to Commonwealth Avenue.
We said we would take real and nation-leading action on climate change to reduce emissions and lower the cost of living. To date, the Sustainable Household Scheme has delivered nearly $100 million in loans and thousands of sustainable upgrades to Canberra households, including rooftop solar, electric heating and cooling, and electric vehicle chargers. Around five per cent of eligible households in Canberra have now accessed the scheme. We are delivering the Big Canberra Battery so that the renewable energy that we generate can be stored locally.
We said we would continue to foster an inclusive and connected community, where Canberrans enjoy a stronger sense of belonging. Today, Canberra is Australia’s most welcoming and socially inclusive city, with a range of grants, initiatives and services to support migrants and refugees, people with disability, LGBTIQ+ Canberrans and many others who make our diverse community stronger. We have delivered on our commitment to ensure Canberrans can access essential health care, including free and safe abortion, no matter their Medicare status.
As in any democracy, some in the community will not agree with every policy or every decision. That is understood. But, to be clear, we are doing what we said we would do, and there are no surprises in that regard.
The government reflects that Canberra is Australia’s most progressive jurisdiction. We continue to punch above our weight on both the national and international stage. We are recognised as one of the world’s most liveable cities. During the thick of the pandemic, we were also one of the most vaccinated, protecting ourselves and our community.
We continue to lead the nation on tax reform, climate action, social justice and human rights. We were the first state or territory to reach 100 per cent renewable electricity; we are the first to tackle phasing out stamp duty; we had the highest ‘yes’ vote in the marriage equality vote; and we are an official “welcoming city” and “refugee welcome zone”.
Over the next two years we will be the first jurisdiction to raise the criminal age of responsibility and to decriminalise small-scale possession of drugs—fundamental social justice measures that will make our community stronger. We will also aim to
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