Page 1167 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 10 April 2018
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MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Mr Wall for the question. The ESA do a fantastic job right across Canberra, providing a safe Canberra, whether it is in regard to firefighting, paramedic services or police services. I have full confidence in the ESA commissioner, Dominic Lane. He does a fantastic job and he is working through a really interesting part of the future change process for ESA, including firefighters. That is a difficult task for Mr Lane, but I support Mr Lane, and the government does as well.
MR WALL: Minister, as the minister responsible for the Emergency Services Agency, what responsibility do you take for the poor staff culture and the lack of confidence expressed in the management team?
MR GENTLEMAN: It is my responsibility, holding those portfolios as I do, and I take it very seriously. That is why we are investing more in the Emergency Services Agency every year. Of course, we are providing different opportunities for legislative changes as well to support the operations of those staff on the road in the daily aspects of their job.
It is a difficult job. It is shiftwork. Madam Speaker, you and I have both worked shiftwork before. We know what it is like. But they have my full support and I think that they do a great job for Canberra.
MR HANSON: As minister, what responsibility do you take for the lack of confidence in your policies?
MR GENTLEMAN: I do not agree with the premise of the question: that there is a lack of confidence in my policies. As I have said, the ESA do a fantastic job. Canberrans feel very safe and we know that in enormous detail that Canberrans feel this is the safest—
Opposition members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Wall and Mr Coe, you asked a question. Allow the minister to answer. Do you have more to add, Mr Gentleman?
MR GENTLEMAN: Yes, just to finish off. Canberrans feel the safest of residents of any city in Australia. That is due to the work that is being done by all our people on the front line and of course our managers in the ESA as well.
Schools—infrastructure projects
MR STEEL: My question is to the minister for education. Minister, can you please update the Assembly on some of the infrastructure projects recently completed in ACT public schools?
MS BERRY: I thank Mr Steel for the question. The government took some significant school infrastructure commitments to the 2016 ACT election, most of which were funded in the 2017-18 budget. Many school infrastructure projects have been completed over the term of government to date. These include capacity
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