Page 1371 - Week 04 - Thursday, 12 April 2018
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
MR BARR: An attempt to conflate those two issues is pretty pathetic.
MS LAWDER: Treasurer, why has this change of rates policy caused significant problems for low income earners such as retirees and self-funded retirees?
MR BARR: The government, of course, puts in place a range of measures to protect low income earners, including significant concessions in relation to rates.
MISS C BURCH: Treasurer, what impact has the change in rates had on the disposable income of seniors?
MR BARR: That is a very broad category. Those on low incomes, as I have indicated, are significantly protected by a range of concessions.
Emergency services—staff wellbeing
MR PETTERSSON: My question is to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services. How is the government protecting and supporting our emergency services workers?
MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Mr Pettersson for his question and his interest in our emergency services. Canberra is a growing city. This government is getting on with the job of planning and delivering the services our city needs both now and into the future. As growth occurs, we know that we need to support our emergency services personnel. These are the people who keep us all safe.
With this in mind, the government made an election commitment that would help improve the safety of emergency services personnel who are working on or near the road. The roadside often makes up the workplace for ESA personnel. Like any other worker, they should be safe while at work. Working on the roadside can leave emergency services workers at high risk of being struck by passing vehicles and debris. Speed is a critical factor in helping minimise the risk.
To help improve safety and to help make sure our emergency services personnel feel safe in their working environment, this government made a commitment to introduce new laws that would limit the speed of cars when passing emergency vehicles stopped by the roadside or moving slowly on the road. I am pleased to advise that we have acted on our election pledge. The new rules will apply from this weekend.
In closing, the government is helping create jobs and opportunity, helping shape the city as we grow, and we are doing it while keeping Canberra and its emergency services personnel safe.
MR PETTERSSON: Minister, can you please advise the Assembly about the details of the enhanced protections for emergency services personnel?
MR GENTLEMAN: I can. As I mentioned in my earlier answer, new laws will apply from this weekend or, more precisely, from Saturday the 14th, that will limit the speed
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video