Page 552 - Week 02 - Thursday, 9 March 2006
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on the best corridor for this piece of infrastructure and, secondly, allow the government to make an informed decision on what the cost of such a project could be and whether it is appropriate to proceed with it at this time. That is the work now under way.
There is real concern and interest in the community to see a government that is committed to investing in and planning for the future more sustainable public transport in Canberra. This is an important initiative—one that has the opportunity to increase public transport usage—to create a quantum shift in the way people view public transport in Canberra. There is a big difference between that and simply building a tunnel to accommodate a freeway.
Human resources package
DR FOSKEY: My question is to the minister for education. The minister would be aware of concern regarding the fairly new Chris 21 human resources package that has been installed across government, including in your department. It is my understanding that doubts have been raised regarding the accurate handling of superannuation payments and leave entitlements and the recording of casual employees’ work hours. I have been advised that considerable remedial work is needed to be undertaken in your department alone to address the issues, consisting of overtime for departmental staff and from the software provider. I understand that the department will need to engage 11 extra staff in the short term to resolve outstanding problems. Could the minister please advise the Assembly of the gross cost of this extra work to the department and whether there are penalty provisions in the contract with the software company to cover the costs incurred through these deficiencies?
MS GALLAGHER: The Chris 21 system is something that has been rolled out across government, not just in the department of education. There have been a number of problems with the rollout of that system, which have affected every department. In relation to the department of education, I will take the question on notice. The question on the contract is more appropriately handled by the Chief Minister, as the contract is across the ACT public service.
DR FOSKEY: Can either of the ministers please advise the Assembly of the full cost to the ACT government of the blow out on this package?
MS GALLAGHER: We will take that question on notice.
Hospitals—funding
MS MacDONALD: Mr Speaker, my question, through you, is to Mr Corbell, the Minister for Health. Is the minister aware of reported comments by the New South Wales Minister for Health, John Hatzistergos, about the possibility of New South Wales taking control of ACT hospitals? Can the minister further advise whether there is any sense to these comments?
MR CORBELL: I thank Ms MacDonald for the question. I was very disappointed to hear the comments of my colleague the New South Wales health minister in the New South Wales parliament yesterday. Mr Hatzistergos has made some allegations and some claims which are very unfair.
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