Page 1721 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 3 May 2005
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
families and carers with an additional $3.29 million in this budget over four years to enable more people with disabilities to live more independently.
The government remains committed to ensuring that all children are able to participate fully in education and students with a disability are supported. A boost of more than $4 million over four years will ensure that teachers and teachers aides in our schools are able to meet the individual needs of their students. A new northside community-based learning and life skill development program will also be funded to support young people with a disability, and increased funding will be allocated for domestic violence crisis services.
The 2005-06 budget provides $831,000 over four years to enable the assessment and trial of specialised seating, mobility and communications equipment for children and young people with disabilities who have complex needs, including autism. Finally, additional resources will be provided to assist families who have children with intense support needs, particularly those with autism and/or challenging behaviours.
Housing
Mr Speaker, in previous budgets the government has introduced comprehensive packages of measures to alleviate housing stress and improve housing affordability. Those measures spanned significant assistance for crisis accommodation, community and public housing, and first home buyers.
A range of indicators support the view that housing affordability in the ACT has been improving since the middle of last year. Increasing affordability, coupled with changes to the ACT’s first home buyer concession scheme in last year’s budget, are supporting a stronger participation in the local housing market by first home buyers. By the end of March this year, 1,226 households had received a first home buyer concession, compared with a total of 39 in 2003-04. Looking forward, similar levels of participation by first home buyers is anticipated, and the budget incorporates a further $1.8 million allowance for concessions.
Mr Speaker, the government will continue to alleviate housing stress and support home ownership. The ACT, along with other states, has called on the commonwealth government to work jointly towards the development of a national housing policy. We continue to hope that the commonwealth will take a lead role in this important national task.
Our people, our community
Canberra has a great sense of community. It is important that we continue to encourage people to be involved in building a stronger community. The 2005-06 budget provides significant funding towards major transformation of the City West area, in line with enhancing Canberra’s dynamic heart.
As part of ongoing efforts to make Canberra City a hub of activity and a focal point for all Canberrans, the public space in Childers Street will be redesigned to accommodate and encourage a range of pedestrian and festival activities between the city and the Australian National University and create a cosmopolitan eat and meet area.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .