Page 18 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 22 February 1994
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Madam Speaker, the message to the people of Canberra is that their financial and economic future is in good hands. The policies that we have been following, geared as they must be to the adjustment in Commonwealth funding, need to be continued, and they will be continued. Nationally the financial climate has become very tight and the pressure to meet national standards in the effectiveness of our public services is irresistible. We will continue with initiatives which sharpen the focus on providing quality services in an efficient manner. Madam Speaker, our public service is obviously a key to the effective delivery of these services to the people of the ACT. The Government has pursued a process of improving the efficiency and accountability of the ACT Government Service by undertaking necessary investments to modernise operations and by expecting continuing efficiency gains throughout the administration. Our position has consistently been that providing quality, cost-effective services to the community is one of our highest priorities. Fundamental to this is a suitably qualified, adequately trained, motivated and professional public service. It is the Government's view that the ACT Government Service should be unified, with clear values and standards. Staff will be treated equitably, with common employment conditions, although differences can be accommodated where this is sensible.
One of the areas the Government will be looking at this year is the development of more flexible working arrangements to provide for the special needs of workers with family responsibilities. Staff in the new ACTGS will be able to move freely across the service, consistent with their abilities and interests. I believe that this will encourage a more diverse and multiskilled work force, with broader opportunities for progress and career development. Our negotiations with the Commonwealth are nearing completion, and I look forward to launching the new service on 1 July 1994. The Government will continue to consult closely and to negotiate with all sectors of the community to find equitable and affordable solutions that will ensure quality and efficient services for the people of the ACT.
Madam Speaker, an important focus this year is the implementation of the electoral system chosen by the people of the ACT. When the Assembly has passed the necessary legislation, the Electoral Commission will be mounting an education campaign to familiarise voters with the new system. In the field of education, the Government intends in 1994 to establish a Vocational Education and Training Authority as the Territory's training agency. In the health arena, Madam Speaker, the Government recently reached agreement with the Commonwealth on a charter of patients' rights, which ties in with the health complaints legislation recently passed by the Assembly. This is an important social justice initiative. It sets out the rights and standards of care which public patients are entitled to expect. We intend to appoint the first Commissioner for Health Complaints later in the year. During 1994 we will develop proclaimed places for more appropriate treatment of alcohol-affected citizens in the ACT. We are working on the development of new public health and environmental health legislation to replace the outdated 1928 Public Health Act. The new legislation will provide a clearer legislative and philosophical framework for public health services.
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