Page 2795 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 16 August 2017
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MR MILLIGAN: Minister, what concerns have you raised with your directorate about the lack of information in your incoming minister’s brief?
MS FITZHARRIS: I have not raised concerns with the directorate. As I indicated, it is up to the directorate to provide information in that briefing pack. It was very clear that ACT Health were implementing the recommendations from previous assessments that resulted in a nearly $100 million commitment in last year’s budget to undertake upgrades at the Canberra Hospital and at other ACT Health facilities. I will say it again: the government took action last year to invest nearly $100 million to upgrade ACT Health assets.
MR WALL: Minister, did you receive an incoming minister’s brief as Assistant Minister for Health, and did it include information about the AECOM report?
MS FITZHARRIS: Yes, I did. My recollection is that I did receive an incoming minister’s brief when I became Assistant Minister for Health. I do not recall whether it included that information, but I will check.
Disability services—government policy
MR PETTERSSON: My question is to the Minister for Disability, Children and Youth. How is the ACT government working to ensure positive outcomes for Canberrans with disability?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I thank Mr Pettersson for his question. The ACT government envisions an inclusive ACT community where people with disability can achieve their goals and aspirations and are valued as full and equal members of the ACT community.
The Office for Disability works with the ACT community of people with disability to realise the key priorities of the National Disability Strategy. This is achieved in part through the many priorities and actions under the ACT disability commitment, Involve, which aims to ensure that the ACT is a welcoming, accessible and inclusive place for people with disability to live, work and play.
Just one example is that this government is working to design and build an accessible and flexible integrated transport system, which already includes nearly 300 easy-access buses in ACTION’s current fleet and a flexible bus service, and will soon include the light rail system, which is designed with accessible stops and level boarding.
The Office for Disability also works with the Disability Reference Group, which is integral to ensuring that the ACT government is aware of the issues affecting people with disability and informing the government on ways in which the ACT can be more inclusive for people with disability. The group met for the first time this week under the guidance of the new co-chair Mr Dougie Herd, who will continue the great work of the outgoing co-chair Ms Sue Salthouse.
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