Page 211 - Week 01 - Thursday, 15 December 2016
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and cultural change led by champions in board and administrative positions.
I want to see greater access to sport and recreation opportunities for women and girls through innovative programs and improved facilities. Already this agenda is being embraced by many in our sports community, and I know that together we can make great strides in the next four years.
My vision is for Canberra to be a truly inclusive community that embraces gender equity. However, I do not believe that people can have the same opportunities if they do not feel safe, which brings me to the continuation of a program of major investment in family safety.
The last two years have demonstrated more than ever before that, despite our community’s relevant advantages, there are many who remain disadvantaged and are not safe, even in their own homes. This is not something that government can fix alone. The government has asked the Canberra community to collectively own and respond to this problem. Awareness, acceptance and reporting continue to grow, and we must all respond, in immediate support for those affected and in prevention which can spare our community the great future costs of this problem if it continues to go unchallenged.
As an Assembly, we have the ability to lead the cultural and social change we all know is greatly needed. I will be seeking continued support from the Assembly for the implementation of the safer families program. My ministerial colleagues and I will also pursue this response across all arms of government.
The government has articulated its commitment to this issue through new funding, with a dedicated funding stream and a new portfolio to lead this work, one I am pleased to hold. There is high service demand and there are high expectations. My priority is to lead the full implementation of the safer families program, achieving long-term systemic change and showing the early signs of permanent cultural change in our community.
The final priority I want to outline today reflects another key plank of our election platform and also the parliamentary agreement—the need for new approaches to housing so that more Canberra families can secure a home that meets their needs. Canberrans have shown for a long time that they support the use of community resources to provide social housing to those who most need it. The government has committed to developing a new housing strategy that builds on our achievements so far and prioritises where we need to head to make homes more accessible and more affordable.
The government will continue to phase out stamp duty and will restructure the Land Development Agency to focus on affordable and efficient greenfield land release. We will work with key stakeholders in the housing, homelessness and property sectors to make ongoing improvements to support Canberra families under housing stress.
We know that there needs to be growth and renewal of the community housing sector in Canberra to ensure not only that people feel safe in their home but that they have a
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