Page 1092 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 6 May 2014
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
MR SMYTH: Treasurer, what financial oversight processes do you have in place to supervise situations like this? Were those processes followed in this case?
MR BARR: The project is being managed by Roads ACT, but Procurement ACT also provide me with briefings in relation to the progress of the project. There are a range of reporting milestones that are consistent with a project of this scale. We have had a presentation at cabinet level on the progress of the project.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Gentleman.
MR GENTLEMAN: Minister, how important was it to work with the federal government on securing this funding for the ACT?
MR BARR: I thank Mr Gentleman for the question. Yes, obviously this is a jointly funded project between the territory government and the commonwealth government. It is very pleasing that the commonwealth government, or the former federal Labor government, invested this money in this project. It is an important project for the territory. Indeed, it is an important project for the broader region.
It is an interesting contrast in the approaches of federal governments. The previous federal Labor government believed in investing in this region and believed in this region’s economic future. The current Liberal government, certainly if the Commission of Audit is anything to go by, has no such desires for the economic development of this region. But I think it just goes to reinforce what we all know, what all Canberrans know, deep down: this city and this region does better with a Labor government.
ACT Ambulance Service—culture
MR SMYTH: My question is to the Minister for Emergency Services. Minister, it was brought to your attention in November 2012 that a toxic culture existed in the management of the ACT Ambulance Service. In October 2013 you announced a review of the toxic culture in the Ambulance Service. Minister, has a reviewer now been appointed? If so, on what date?
MR CORBELL: I thank Mr Smyth for the question. The answer to the question is that I understand that the emergency services authority, including the ACT Ambulance Service, along with the union that represents hardworking paramedics, the Transport Workers Union, have agreed on a preferred reviewer, and that the necessary contractual steps are being taken to engage that reviewer.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Minister, what are the terms of reference for this review? Will you table them in this place by the end of this sitting week?
MR CORBELL: The terms of reference for the review are the subject of—I should say “have been the subject of”—discussions between the union and the ESA. They will be made public once the reviewer has been appointed.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video