Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 5 Hansard (4 May) . . Page.. 1314 ..

MS CARNELL (continuing):

of $1m has been set aside over the next three years to establish the high schools in the new millennium program. A teacher renewal program will also be introduced, with the aim of creating increased employment opportunities for graduate teachers. It will provide incentives for teachers who are approaching retirement to consider leaving early and help schools and colleges to better meet their changing skills needs in areas such as vocational education and information technology. Mr Speaker, for non-government schooling we have honoured every one of our election commitments, with an extra $2.7m in total to be made available in 1999-2000.

Mr Speaker, protection of children at risk of abuse is to be enhanced as a result of this budget. Funding of $370,000 has been allocated for the introduction of a child protection case management system, while a further $200,000 has been set aside for the introduction of family group conferences as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism. As well, $100,000 will be made available to help provide more support and information for Canberra parents and families.

Mr Speaker, this Government places a high priority on helping to make Canberra a safer community. During the past four years we have significantly increased our police, ambulance and firefighting resources. In 1999-2000 the Government will provide the Australian Federal Police with an additional $1.7m. This Government is also committed to providing police with alternatives to the use of lethal force. Capsicum spray is one such measure. I am pleased to announce that the AFP has agreed to a request from the Government for operational officers to be equipped with these devices later this year. As part of the Government's commitment to road safety, speed cameras will be introduced from 1 July this year, while red-light cameras will be operating in Canberra from July 2000.

Mr Speaker, the Government will commit additional funding of $310,000 to meet the increased workload of the Director of Public Prosecutions. We have allocated $70,000 for the establishment of an Aboriginal justice advisory committee and the development of a strategic plan in a measure aimed at addressing the overrepresentation of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders in the criminal justice system. The Government has also set aside more than $1m for the introduction of a new victims assistance scheme which will provide counselling and rehabilitation services. This scheme is, of course, dependent on the passage of legislation that is currently before the Assembly.

The budget also makes provision for new and improved correctional services at a total cost of $3.7m, the largest single increase since self-government. Payments to the New South Wales Government for prisoners will rise by $2.1m in 1999-2000, while more than $880,000 will be spent on increasing the capacity of the Belconnen Remand Centre. Funding of $400,000 will be made available to improve the management and operations of the Quamby Youth Detention Centre, including skills development and education courses for young offenders. An extra $200,000 will be provided to improve nursing and other medical services at both the Remand Centre and Quamby. Finally, the ACT's highly successful community corrections scheme, which was established by this Government, will be further expanded at a cost of $85,000. Mr Speaker, this additional funding for justice and community services should be viewed against the overall decrease in the ACT's operating loss. It shows again how good financial management can produce real improvements in the social capital of our community.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .