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To meet this challenge we will be innovative in developing and implementing strategies to increase efficiency. Two such measures are under way at Calvary Hospital. Calvary Private Hospital, in conjunction with a group of local general practitioners, will establish an after-hours clinic within the hospital precinct within the next few months - a good cooperative approach and something that I understand Mr Connolly supported.

Mr Connolly: Yes, we were working on it.

MRS CARNELL: And I totally accept that. The hospital will also be looking to establish a specialist centre. These two services will significantly enhance the services to residents of North Canberra. Prior to coming to office, I promised to aim for a reduction in waiting lists for elective surgery in ACT public hospitals of 20 per cent or 900 people by the end of our first term. That is 300 people a year. Already I have asked the department to develop a program that will provide for at least 1,000 additional admissions in 1995-96. These admissions will be targeted towards people who have been waiting for surgery for unacceptably long periods. The program will involve the better management of existing public hospital beds but also the opening of additional beds. This will be outlined in more detail in the budget.

We can also say that an adolescent ward at Woden Valley Hospital will become a reality - something that, again, I know Mr Connolly supports. The adolescent ward will link with community-based support services for young people and, in doing so, bring a new dimension to the provision of health care for adolescents in the ACT. The Government will also establish a cardio-thoracic unit at Woden Valley Hospital. The new unit will serve both the ACT community and surrounding regions of New South Wales. It is anticipated that the unit will become operational by late next year. We will also concentrate on the forgotten areas of mental health and services for people with disabilities. Improving outcomes for patients and their carers will probably be one of the hardest tasks to be faced, and we will be very keen to involve all Assembly members in this very important area. I think it is an area in which the Social Policy Committee, particularly, can become very much involved.

Mr Speaker, the Government will honour its commitment to maintain education spending in real terms for the next three years. As well, we have established the Children's and Youth Services Bureau, which will improve the coordination of service delivery to children, young people and their families. Mr Stefaniak will be addressing the Assembly later on this initiative.

Crime prevention and safety is another important issue that affects many Canberrans and certainly will be addressed under this Government. People in our community must be able to live in expectation of enjoying a relatively safe and crime-free environment. For the Government, the challenge is to ensure that our laws are adequate, that our policing services respond adequately to crime and safety issues, and that our corrective services ensure that the community is protected. An important first step, following discussions and agreement with the Attorney-General, has been the decision of

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