Page 44 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 7 April 1992
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The Government is currently negotiating with the University of Sydney for the establishment of a clinical medical school. Not only will this provide an opportunity to enhance the quality of health care; it will also attract students and researchers to the ACT.
A proposal is being developed for an international air freight operator at Canberra Airport. If such a proposal were to proceed, Canberra would become a major regional transport and warehousing centre.
The Government is negotiating Optus's first purchase of land in the ACT for the establishment of a $13m switching facility. We are also actively promoting Canberra to attract a range of telecommunications opportunities, including new infrastructure, research and training activities.
Madam Speaker, our election policy outlined a range of other initiatives to promote balanced economic growth, to provide Canberra with a better urban and natural environment, and to improve access to employment for all Canberra residents. The Government believes that marketing the strengths of Canberra as an investment and tourist destination, combined with sound management policies, will help us achieve the recovery that we need.
It is also imperative that we make the most efficient use of our assets. We must make the best possible use of our schools, public transport, housing, health and community facilities. We must be far more economical in our use of land, water and other natural resources, proceeding with sensible urban consolidation projects. We must also harness the skills and the dedication of our ACT Government Service staff.
Madam Speaker, a major focus for the Government over the next three years will be continuing to improve the efficiency and responsiveness of the ACT Government Service. We believe that we must make government more responsive to the needs of the community. We will require all government agencies which provide direct services to the public to enter into community contracts. Each agency will publicly undertake to provide services at a measurable standard which the community can judge.
We will continue to improve financial and personnel management with new systems and training for management and staff. The Government will adopt a strategic training plan in consultation with unions. We will increase spending on training to help staff meet the demands of the community, to allow them to realise their full work potential and help improve career prospects. Part of the task in making the ACT Government Service more responsive is to make it more representative of our community. The Government will be reintroducing a package of equal employment opportunity measures this week.
Madam Speaker, the Labor Government is committed to providing the highest possible standard of accessible and affordable health care to the people of the ACT. The last three years have been a period of upheaval in our health system as a result of problems inherited from the Commonwealth and compounded by the Liberal Party. Under Labor, the next three years will be a period of consolidation. By the end of this Assembly we will have a better, more efficient ACT health system. We will continue to concentrate on better financial management and
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