Page 856 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 9 March 2016
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there is no current commitment from the federal government to future funding arrangements.
As Minister for Women, I have led efforts from state and territory women’s safety ministers to make the continuation of this funding for these specialist domestic violence services a priority issue of consideration for my state and federal counterparts at the upcoming council of housing ministers meetings. I will continue to pursue this issue to ensure that funding for specialist domestic violence services is high on the national agenda when future decisions are made for housing and homelessness.
Roads—Constitution Avenue
MR SMYTH: My question is to the Minister for Transport and Municipal Services. Minister, could you please update the Assembly on the status of the works to upgrade Constitution Avenue and advise the Assembly of the expected completion date for this project?
MS FITZHARRIS: I thank Mr Smyth for his question. Certainly, I know that the Constitution Avenue upgrade is a significant project which has been underway for some time. I can advise that the expected completion date is in June of this year. I can also advise, given that it is a 2.5 kilometre road connecting London Circuit in the city through to Russell, that it is a significant road that we have tried to keep open during the entire period of the construction. I am advised that the work that needed to happen underground in terms of relocation of utilities has recently been completed and that that has allowed the contractors to get above ground and finish the main resealing work on the roads. As I said, I think that the road will be completed in June 2016.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Minister, how delayed are these works from the original schedule; and have the costs of the project increased as a result?
MS FITZHARRIS: I thank Mr Smyth for the supplementary. I am not aware that they have been delayed and I am not currently aware of any increased cost of the project.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Doszpot.
MR DOSZPOT: Minister, what efforts are being made to complete the Constitution Avenue upgrade as soon as practicable, given the considerable traffic congestion caused by the roadworks, particularly during peak periods, and the resulting inconvenience to the Canberra community?
MS FITZHARRIS: I thank Mr Doszpot for the supplementary. Every effort is being made to complete this project as soon as practicable. These are significant works. We provide, through the Territory and Municipal Services Directorate, ongoing advice to the community about any lane changes. It is a major project and we are conscious that it is a project that has being going on for some time. It is a very complex site. Work
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