Page 1912 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 3 June 2015

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(e) ACT government’s investment across Canberra, in our suburban shops, our streets and parks; and

(f) ACT budget continues to grow and diversify the economy; and

(2) calls on the ACT government to continue:

(a) to provide high quality health and education services to the community;

(b) renewal of our suburbs and town centres;

(d) to support the increasingly diverse ACT economy with sound and productive investment.

I am proud of the initiatives in this ACT Labor government budget investing in our people, our suburbs and maintaining a dynamic economy in Canberra. This government’s priorities outlined in this motion are health, education, suburban renewal and addressing social inclusion and inequality in Canberra. This is a prudent ACT budget, addressing the needs of our community and taking in our stride challenges such as the federal Liberal government’s cuts. We also need to deal once and for all with the legacy of Mr Fluffy loose-fill asbestos throughout our suburbs. We have been through the worst of the cuts to the Australian public service. Our diversified economy has weathered the storm and the economic outlook is good.

I am sure that other government members will tell you more of this budget’s vision for Canberra and give you a detailed, granular breakdown of the diverse initiatives in a range of portfolios. While many initiatives such as cutting stamp duty, urban renewal, investment in transport and overall increases to health and education spending, for example, benefit all Canberrans, I will concentrate on the good news of particular interest to Belconnen residents in my electorate.

We are spending almost a third of our ACT budget, $1.5 billion, on health. A sizeable share of that budget is going to upgrading Calvary hospital and to building the second public hospital in Belconnen at the University of Canberra. The University of Canberra public hospital will be a purpose‐built facility offering rehabilitation and mental health care services, as well as providing training and research opportunities. Construction will commence early next year. This budget also includes provision for 400 parking spaces for the hospital on the university grounds.

Meanwhile, going along Belconnen Way through Bruce it is hard to miss the towering construction crane on the site for the new five‐storey Calvary hospital car park. It will have 704 spaces, an overall increase of 515 car spaces for Calvary. This budget invests $12.4 million for Calvary hospital services, including $5.6 million for a complete refurbishment and new equipment for the operating theatres; $3.1 million for development at Calvary hospital to enable 12 new acute beds; and $3.7 million for new imaging services, including a second CT scanner.

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