Page 3742 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 28 October 2015
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different from any other clinical indication in terms of violence or other such related matters. The training is the same; the response is the same. But clearly the volume is a challenge, and these are matters that we respond to appropriately through our staffing levels in the unit.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Hanson.
MR HANSON: What is the number of patients affected by ice admitted into the centre, and is this essentially a quasi rehab service affecting the treatment of other mental health patients within the centre?
MR CORBELL: No, Madam Speaker. In response to the second part of the question, no, this is not an alternative to rehabilitation. The AMHU is not a rehabilitation unit; the AMHU is for people suffering acute mental illness and other related conditions. But, as I said before, there is a crossover often between alcohol and drug addiction and mental illness. That is well understood. So you have to treat both. You have to respond to both, and that is exactly what our staff are trained to do.
In relation to the question about volume or numbers, Mr Hanson would need to be more precise with me in relation to the period he wants to know about for me to be able to answer that accurately.
Transport—public
DR BOURKE: My question is to the Chief Minister. Chief Minister, yesterday you announced a package of improvements to improve the ACT’s public transport network to ensure an integrated, convenient, reliable and efficient transport service for Canberrans. Chief Minister, can you explain how the creation of a single agency to oversee Canberra’s public transport, transport Canberra, will deliver real improvements to the people of Canberra?
MR BARR: I thank Dr Bourke for the question. In the simplest possible terms, Canberrans want their public transport system to be convenient, affordable, integrated, reliable and efficient. So transport Canberra will be measured against those requirements. We discussed in this place yesterday that ACTION is providing an essential community service, but we all know that it must improve and be closely linked with the new light rail services to make public transport a genuine travel option for more Canberrans over the coming decade.
In a city of our size, a single agency coordinating all of our public transport needs and integrating those with other travel options is a commonsense proposition. It is the best way to deliver one network, one fare structure and one ticket for Canberrans. That is why a key component of the public transport improvement plan is the establishment of a single agency to oversee buses and light rail. Transport Canberra will have that task.
From its establishment next year, the first task will be to deliver a more reliable system through better coordination, planning and efficiency. Of course, once the light rail service starts operating, transport Canberra will deliver the single ticketing,
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