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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 03 Hansard (Thursday, 11 March 2004) . . Page.. 1068 ..

our social development—the development of an inclusive society—and an economic White Paper or plan that provides a sustainable economy into the future in order to allow us to deliver on the undertakings we make in this strategy.

MR HARGREAVES: I have a supplementary question. I thank the Chief Minister for his answer. Can the Chief Minister tell the Assembly what the government is doing to make the vision of the Canberra plan a reality.

MR STANHOPE: Thank you very much, Mr Hargreaves. Today, through the tabling by the Treasurer, Ted Quinlan, of a third appropriation bill, we have given a real dollar commitment to start the process of implementation of the Canberra plan as delivered today. We see the first concrete steps in implementing the three central components to the Canberra plan. There is $10 million for a venture capital fund to turn ideas, knowledge and research into new businesses and more money for the University of Canberra.

What pleases me most are the commitments that go towards implementing Building our community: the Canberra social plan. The Canberra social plan measures included in the third appropriation bill amount to more than $37 million for 2003-04 alone. These measures include $33 million to increase the supply of public and community housing to help Canberrans in need and provide a long-term sustainable and affordable housing sector. We in Canberra are in the main a wealthy, fortunate community. For that very reason, we cannot leave people behind.

There is more than $3 million to help care for children at risk. There is $130,000 to kick-start the community inclusion board. Over the weekend we sought expressions of interest from members of the community interested in becoming board members, joining respected social commentator Hugh Mackay, who will chair the board. There is $300,000 for the social plan flagship “building a stronger community” and there is $320,000 for electricity, water and sewerage concessions.

On top of that, the third appropriation bill has funding for the Cotter precinct, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and the water resources strategy. These go directly to the commitments made under the social plan priority “respect and protect the environment”. All that is just the funding for this year as included in the third appropriation bill. It is just the start of our work to implement social plan initiatives that make up part of the Canberra plan. It shows the government’s determination to get started immediately on implementing its vision for Canberra.

More will be announced in the budget. As I flagged today when I announced significant out-year funding, there will be $10 million over four years for the social plan’s child and family centres. The first centre will be developed in Gungahlin and it will be up and running within months. There is $8 million for the water resources strategy. The funding I have announced today—

Mrs Dunne: I rise on a point of order. I am just not sure how much of this that Mr Stanhope is talking about is in the appropriation bill that has been referred to the public accounts committee. I seek your guidance on that.

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