Page 1727 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 4 June 2014
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
There is $1.4 million to build units specifically to meet the housing needs of older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tenants, and this work will be delivered over four years. The government is working very closely with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community organisations. I know that the Indigenous elected council have often raised with me the need for accommodation for older Aboriginal folk in our community, and I am sure they will be pleased with this budget. And it just highlights the difference between the federal government, where we see many millions of dollars pulled out of support for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, and this government, where we see support to those in need in our community.
We have also provided funding of $156,000 for common ground, which will see the first tenants move into this initiative in the not-so-distant future. I am very pleased to see that project come to fruition, because I started the development work looking into that, and to see Mr Rattenbury coming to a conclusion with that, to have the facility being built, to have a budget line that will see those vulnerable Canberrans supported, is very pleasing indeed.
When we look to investing in our suburbs, we all have a keen interest in our suburbs, our local shops and playing fields where our kids can play safely, where we can buy the necessary groceries for our family. For the local shops upgrades, there will be $2 million over two years for Cook, and I am very pleased to see some investment in Mannheim Street in Kambah in this budget. That includes a combination across those shopping areas of improved lighting, parking and landscaping, improved safety and accessibility to those shopping precincts.
To allow our children to play safely is an important aspect of raising a family but it also gets the kids out and having an active, healthy lifestyle. Play is an important part in a child’s health and development. And through the playground safety program, we will be providing safe and accessible play spaces for our families. The program will continue by providing an additional $500,000 towards ensuring that equipment in our play spaces is safe and fun to use.
There are parking upgrades to Weston Creek but also it is worth noting for us—for Mr Gentleman and me—the investment in the Isabella spillway upgrade which will provide funding of $10 million invested to increase the capacity of the Isabella weir as part of the water quality protection system for Tuggeranong Creek.
In closing, as minister for education—and I made mention earlier of the significant investment that we are providing—a concern expressed to me, and it ought to be of concern to those opposite, is the question over the continual funding growth for the independent and Catholic schools. A media release from the Australian Independent Schools ACT recognises the record levels of investment in health and education. They say that the government has maintained its commitment for schools funding according to the agreement signed with the commonwealth last year and this affords a degree of certainty to independent schools till the end of 2017, which is welcomed. AIS ACT looks forward to working with the government as it negotiates post 2017 the funding model with the commonwealth government because that is where their concern lies,
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video