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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 4 Hansard (23 June) . . Page.. 831 ..

MS CARNELL (continuing):

Mr Speaker, I also committed this Government to making our mental health system a priority. Today, I can announce the single biggest increase in funding in this area since self-government. A total of $4m has been made available for the refurbishment of the psychiatric unit at Canberra Hospital and the construction of a new, state-of-the-art, secure care facility. On top of this, an extra $700,000 has been allocated for the operation of the secure unit, together with an extra $400,000 to improve community mental health services. This Government will also spend an additional $500,000 to reduce waiting times for people needing public dental care and $125,000 to establish an expanded asthma support service and research program - two very important areas. We will deliver on our election commitments to seniors, Mr Speaker. The home and community care program will increase again by a further $800,000, following our decision to fully match the Commonwealth offer of growth funding. This will allow additional services to elderly people, people with disabilities, and carers. The spectacles subsidy scheme is to be expanded, with holders of an ACT seniors card to receive a $35 subsidy towards the cost of purchasing a pair of spectacles. Finally, Mr Speaker, drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs will be boosted, with funding of $52,000 for a late night drug referral information service and $70,000 for additional places at the Arcadia House withdrawal centre.

Mr Speaker, an integral part of developing a clever capital is a clever education system. That is why this Government views spending on our schools, colleges and students as an investment in our future, rather than simply as a cost to the taxpayer. Since 1995 we have led the way in building upon that investment to give every Canberra student the best possible chance in life. For the fourth consecutive year we will maintain funding in real terms for government schooling, in line with our election promise. From the beginning of 1999, an extra $400,000 will be directed to early literacy programs in primary schools. Mr Speaker, I am sure that that is something that everybody believes is important. From next year, too, we will boost per capita funding to non-government schools by $400,000 and allocate an extra $100,000 for students with disabilities.

In 1998 an estimated 2,000 computers will be provided to teachers and students in our government schools as part of our ongoing technology program and will cost a total of $20m. Mr Speaker, it means that we are well on the way to achieving our aim of providing a computer for every full-time teacher by the end of 1999 and one computer for every two students by 2001. I can also announce today that it is our intention by 2001 to have 95 per cent of all Year 10 students in government schools certified in IT competency.

Mr Speaker, the benefits of our public housing reform program, which began in 1996, are now beginning to be seen. The number of people waiting for public housing has now fallen to just 2,007 - a 39 per cent reduction over the past 12 months. This Government's priority in public housing remains the development of more appropriate accommodation to meet the changing needs of the Canberra community. In recognition of our changing age profile, a total of 200 new aged persons units, costing $25m, will be built across the Territory over the next three years. Mr Speaker, a record $55m will be spent on improving ACT Housing properties, including $19m on repairs and maintenance and $5m to improve the livability of several older, large flat complexes.

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