Page 3488 - Week 09 - Thursday, 21 August 2008
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I start by pointing out that a necessity for the provision of infrastructure is a strong financial position. The opposition has criticised the government and questioned what we have done with the surpluses that have been generated since we came to office. The answer is simple: the strong surpluses that the government has delivered as a result of good economic management are what have allowed us to invest so heavily in improving the quality of infrastructure and services for the community.
Our record on the planning and delivery of infrastructure is something of which we are proud. We are proud of the way we have managed the territory’s finances and we are proud of what this has enabled us to deliver—record expenditure on services and capital works. It is a record of doubling the health expenditure. It is a record of lifting the mental health expenditure from its lowest per capita in the country to one of the highest. It is a record of funding disability services and child protection services properly.
Let us look at the figures again. The ACT government is committed to creating a health system that is ready for the future. It has allocated $300 million as the first stage of a $1 billion upgrade in health infrastructure. A women’s and children’s hospital at the Canberra Hospital—$90 million. An adult mental health acute in-patient unit—$23.6 million. New community health centres at Gungahlin, $18 million—and one down at Tuggeranong. Secure adult mental health in-patient unit—$11.2 million. A 16-bed ICU and CCU facility at Calvary—$9.4 million. Digital mammography—$5.7 million. A neurosurgery suite at TCH—$5.5 million. Redevelopment of community health centres—$5 million. A 16-bed surgical assessment and planning unit—$4.1 million. Twenty-four additional beds at TCH—$2.4 million. A mental health assessment unit—$2 million. A skills development centre—$1.3 million. A mental health young persons unit—$800,000. Provision of phase 1 of the clinical services redevelopment—$57 million. Provision for project definition planning—$63.8 million in health services.
It is also a record of strong economic growth, the lowest level of unemployment, high interstate migration and a high level of economic activity, in summary.
Infrastructure investment will continue to play a significant part in our strong economic performance. The Chief Minister has highlighted this government’s record on infrastructure planning and delivery. Canberrans are used to and expect high-quality infrastructure. The territory has a large and varied asset base, mainly comprising roads, bridges, stormwater infrastructure, public housing and school and health facilities.
In 1989, when self-government commenced in the ACT, the territory inherited a large stock of this high-quality infrastructure. The government places a heavy emphasis on the importance of maintaining our existing infrastructure and delivering new, quality infrastructure in a timely manner. The government has carefully planned for and supported the growth of the city by investing in our physical asset base.
The examples of this commitment by the government are endless. I am pleased to reiterate a few now. The Gungahlin Drive extension has been completed, along with other road connections, providing improved access from Gungahlin and the new
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