Page 2507 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 6 August 2013
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and new investments that improve efficiency, quality and fairness in both the education and health systems.
The national education reform agreement will be implemented. Indeed it is great to have bipartisan support for that federally.
Mr Barr interjecting—
MS GALLAGHER: In disability care, it is great to see the WA government joining and creating a truly national disability care scheme for all Australians who have a disability. In health, we will continue our record investment and, indeed, start the very important work on the University of Canberra public hospital.
Mr Barr interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Barr, it was very hard to hear the Chief Minister answer her question because of you. I also take this opportunity to remind members that they need to be orderly. If I call them to order, they need to respond. Supplementary question, Ms Porter.
MS PORTER: Minister, what other transformational projects have you committed to?
MS GALLAGHER: The government has chosen to move ahead with major projects, which indeed we did take, and they formed our commitments, to the electorate in October last year. Indeed, in relation to capital metro, for example, it formed a commitment of the ACT Greens. Together the Labor and Greens vote, and I know this is something that those opposite find hard to deal with from time to time, did reach over 50 per cent of Canberrans. We did go to the electorate with a commitment around light rail. Over 50 per cent of the ACT voted to support that election agenda.
Capital metro is an important project for the city. We do need to do the further work that is required to explain the opportunities that will come with capital metro as the project develops. Yes, we do need to spend some money on getting that project to where it needs to be. The money allocated in this year’s budget will do that, with $18.7 million to progress the capital metro project, including $5 million for the design studies, $12.3 million for the capital metro agency and $1.4 million for the master planning process which will investigate and identify issues for a future Canberra-wide light rail network and assess its feasibility.
The first stage of capital metro will be a model for a future Canberra-wide light rail network. It will play an important role in the territory’s growth and development. This will be supported by integrated bus services, cyclepaths, footpaths and complementary land uses. In relation to the city plan, the city plan work is well underway. Again, it will set the framework for future development decisions that occur within the city precinct. It is important to get these right and we are taking the time to do it.
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