Page 2966 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 15 August 2018
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also improve patient safety. On Monday I launched five new ambulances funded as part of the funding provided for the vehicle replacement program.
As our city grows, the government is committed to growing key services and supporting ACTAS, along with ACT Fire & Rescue and ACT Policing.
MR STEEL: Minister, can you advise if the government is providing equipment upgrades for ACT Fire & Rescue?
MR GENTLEMAN: It is a good question. I mentioned in my previous answer that our city is growing, and as it grows the government is focused on growing the services our city needs. Our latest budget delivers on this and reflects our commitment to an inclusive, progressive and connected Canberra.
This year’s budget does not support just our paramedics and the hard-working staff at ACTAS; we are also helping our firefighters. There is funding to recruit additional firefighters. There is funding to provide new protective helmets, providing the kit needed to do the job safely and effectively. There is also $2 million committed to bring in a new vehicle to help our firefighters respond to incidents that might occur in multistorey buildings.
The funding in this year’s budget builds on the significant investment in last year’s budget, which also included funding for front-line firefighters. As I have said, this government is delivering on the front-line services for our growing city, and this includes ACT Policing.
MS CODY: Minister, what support is being provided to ACT Policing?
MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Ms Cody for her interest in our front-line staff. This government’s budget not only delivers for our firefighters and paramedics but it also delivers for officers of ACT Policing. The government’s most recent budget provides $11.8 million over four years to support our police force.
Highlights of the support being provided this year include $2.6 million to recruit and expand ACT Policing’s strategic analysis capability targeting crime hot spots and identifying emerging risks; $1.6 million over four years to recruit additional resources and provide specialised training and tools to target, disrupt, deter and prevent organised crime in the ACT; $5.6 million over four years to provide new smartphones to improve service delivery and officer safety; and $2 million over two years to upgrade facilities at Tuggeranong police station and Winchester police station.
These investments build on those that this government made last year. We are committed to working with ACT Policing to continue keeping our community safe.
Education—disability funding
MS LEE: My question is to the Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development. Minister, during the estimates hearings I asked for details about the $23.2 million that budget paper 2 had highlighted as being money to support students
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