Page 3104 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 22 August 2017
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helicopter in July. I can today update the Assembly that, since the service began in April, it has conducted 154 individual missions. I am pleased that the ACT government’s contribution of $1.4 million per annum to this service continues to provide this important medical care to the ACT and southern New South Wales communities.
MS CODY: Could the minister please advise how the ACT government has recognised community support to the SouthCare trust in transitioning to this new service?
MR GENTLEMAN: The aeromedical service has received overwhelming support over 19 years from the entire community, including sponsors, volunteers, donors and supporters. As we welcome a new era for the service with the transition to the new arrangement with Toll, I would like again to acknowledge and say thank you to everyone who has contributed to the service over the years, particularly volunteers. I include Russ and Dana in this number.
On 19 July 2017 I hosted a number of members from the SouthCare trust fund board, the operating company and the Emergency Services Agency here at the Assembly, during which time the final payment of $1.3 million was formally handed over from the trust fund to the operating company. I was pleased to unveil a plaque which will be installed at the trust fund facility in Hume, which recognises the selfless support of trust fund members over the past 19 years.
MS ORR: Could the minister provide additional information on how we cooperate with New South Wales in providing regional aeromedical services?
MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Ms Orr for her supplementary. The ACT and New South Wales governments have a long history of close collaboration on health and emergency services. The cross-border model between ACT and New South Wales on aeromedical retrieval and rescue operations has been operating well since the service was established in 1998.
I am pleased to inform the Assembly that the relationship with New South Wales via the operating company remains strong and we will continue to work together to ensure that the service continues to do so and do the best possible job for both ACT and New South Wales residents.
Energy—renewables
MS ORR: My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability. Minister, how is the ACT government supporting our local entrepreneurs and innovative energy start-ups to ensure that the ACT remains at the forefront of the transition to carbon neutrality?
MR RATTENBURY: In the broad the ACT government, through its policy commitment to 100 per cent renewable electricity, has positioned the ACT as being a highly innovative jurisdiction when it comes to renewable energy and to encouraging
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