Page 509 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 19 March 2014
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Bringing forward the work at Moncrieff will be a welcome boost to the construction sector, and I have already put forward my support for the changes to the commence and complete fees. The changes to the LVC fees will be welcomed by stakeholders in the industry. I understand why the government has reduced the fees as a way of stimulating development activity. I think it is appropriate this should be done for a limited period as it provides a window for the industry to take advantage of the changes and for the government to review the effectiveness of the reform at the end of two years.
I have also put forward my support for the environmental remissions. I look forward to more work being done to expand the remissions in the other categories that were put forward with the LVC scheme was set up. As I have said, the idea behind sustainability remissions is to tip the balance in favour of the kinds of projects we need to be prioritising for the future of our city.
These stimulus measures are certainly not a magic bullet, but they provide some practical steps to encourage activity in the ACT at a time when it appears we are going to need it. For those reasons I will be supporting the amendment Mr Barr has moved today.
Debate interrupted in accordance with standing order 74 and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour.
Sitting suspended from 12.29 to 2.30 pm.
Questions without notice
Health Directorate—infrastructure program management
MR HANSON: My question is to the Minister for Health. Minister, changes have recently been announced concerning the high-level management of infrastructure and planning within the Health Directorate. Minister, what are those high-level changes in management in this area and what are the reasons for these changes?
MS GALLAGHER: The changes reflect the importance that the government places on the health infrastructure program. So there has been some work done looking at the current arrangements that have been in place using the projects that have been delivered to look at how we can improve on our processes, and the restructure of those positions is in line with the information provided through those reviews. Essentially, it will create a deputy director-general in charge of the health infrastructure program, reporting to the director-general.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Hanson.
MR HANSON: Minister, did this require any contracts to be paid out? If so, how much? Is it costing the government to pay those contracts out, and how much will it cost to fund the new deputy director-general?
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