Page 3524 - Week 09 - Thursday, 23 August 2018
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
captioning equipment; and upgrading fire safety equipment, fire safety doors and roof safety infrastructure. We will also provide non-capital funding of $145,000 to support technical training at the Canberra Theatre Centre, leading to increased employment opportunities in Canberra’s stage and theatre industry.
The new funding announced in this budget is in addition to the government’s ongoing investment in CFC’s operations, at a level of $9 million per year. The new budget funding and the ongoing investment in the CFC demonstrate this government’s commitment to enhancing the cultural life of our community and developing Canberra’s status as a creative capital. This support recognises that the CFC is indeed a leader in this creative city, providing high quality cultural experiences based on the arts and heritage resources that it holds in trust for the people of Canberra, and continuing to play a significant role in our region’s cultural and economic life.
Proposed expenditure agreed to.
ACT Executive—Part 1.16
MRS DUNNE (Ginninderra) (11.41): The ACT executive sets the tone for the rest of the ACT government. And what a tone it is! To begin with, I note that the ACT executive appropriation this year does not envisage an eighth minister. I would welcome the Chief Minister’s comments on how the eighth minister will be funded when he begins that role. I hope it is not going to come out of the Treasurer’s advance, because it certainly was not unforeseen.
This budget reflects the decisions that are made every day by the government, and it reflects the influence that is brought to bear on the government by the Labor machine, led by UnionsACT and the CFMMEU. These decisions show a lack of process, a lack of accountability and a lack of clarity. And although it was not a recent decision, as Mr Coe amply stated yesterday, the secret deal with the CFMEU over its building in Dickson and Downer would not have come to light had it not been for an anonymous tip-off. That closed deal, brought about by influence on the Labor machine, was not transparent. It sets the scene for much that we see in the executive. There is a lack of due process and decision-making.
I will reflect on the decision to restructure Health as a classic example. The restructure of ACT Health did not go to cabinet. It did not have the supervision of the ACT executive. The Chief Minister made the decision, instead, based on a single brief from the Head of Service. The minister for health and the Minister for Mental Health claim that they were involved, but there is not so much as a post-it note to indicate or support that claim.
The restructure has a clear impact on many other portfolios: disability services; police and emergency services workers, who interact daily with ACT Health; women’s health; Indigenous health; aged care; and child and adolescent health. None of these areas of government was consulted or had the opportunity to give coordination comments on a major policy change. The lack of consultation with ACT Health led to problems with accreditation, as has been highlighted with the problems that the government has experienced this year.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video