Page 1176 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 7 May 2014
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However, people do also talk to me and write to me about other things that we would consider big picture issues which are also crucial to their wellbeing. I cite as an example their health. ACT Labor has been building our health service right across the ACT with new services, new infrastructure, such as community health centres and walk-in centres, more doctors and nurses, and more allied health.
Each year this ACT Labor government invests more and more in our ACT health system, making it even stronger and delivering high-class health care where and when it is needed. The health infrastructure program is a 10-year $1 billion-plus infrastructure program designed to completely overhaul our health system and deliver new exciting health facilities, new services and new ways of providing care to patients.
During the 2012 election we committed to finalise and complete a range of projects, including several in my electorate, such as the now-completed Belconnen Community Health Centre, to provide a high level of community-based services as well as important services normally only accessible from hospital. We committed to emergency department expansions at both Canberra Hospital and Calvary public hospital; expanding the nurse-led walk-in centre model to community locations, including one in Belconnen; progressing the University of Canberra public hospital; fitting out new wards and facilities to house additional beds and services at Calvary hospital; and providing additional inpatient beds at Canberra Hospital.
I have also on previous occasions stated that this Labor government recognises the diverse opportunities that quality education presents to our children and young people. As Ms Burch has already said this morning, over the years this government has endeavoured to ensure that all ACT children, notwithstanding their circumstances, not only have access to quality education facilities, but also have access to quality teaching so they can reach their potential.
As you are aware, Madam Speaker, the 2013-14 budget included funding for a national education reform agreement, which will focus on further improving students’ learning and strengthening teaching, school leadership, transparency and accountability. No doubt many of my Ginninderra constituents will benefit greatly from this agreement.
This will serve to advance our already good record that Ms Burch has just referred to, where the ACT continues to top the country in NAPLAN results, ranking first or equal first for grammar, punctuation and numeracy in all levels since 2009. I have not had time to comment on all the initiatives that are being currently undertaken and that will be undertaken by this government aimed at providing and enhancing the learning environments for students. Several schools in my electorate continue to benefit from this funding, including funding for the commencement of Belconnen High School upgrades.
Madam Speaker, these are but a few reasons why I strongly support the amendment put forward by the Chief Minister, and I urge all members of this place to do the same.
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