Page 4466 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 30 October 2018
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Services, in particular, timely care. Within that, I know that she will be looking at how we further improve and provide even more access for even more patients to elective surgery in the ACT.
MS LAWDER: Minister, is the “one strike” proposal still a possibility, even though I note that you have just said that it has not yet been implemented? Is it still on the cards?
MS FITZHARRIS: I will take that on notice. That brief was provided to me prior to the separation of the two organisations. I will look forward to discussing options for increasing access to elective surgery with the new CEO of Canberra Health Services.
MRS DUNNE: Minister, what consultation occurred with medical consumer groups about this proposal, and was any consideration given to significant family events, such as a funeral or a wedding, that may prohibit people from taking up an offer of surgery and therefore result in their being struck off the list?
MS FITZHARRIS: Many of those questions are hypotheticals but I refer Mrs Dunne to my previous answers.
Housing—new housing strategy
MS CHEYNE: My question is to the Minister for Housing and Suburban Development. Minister, can you update the Assembly on the government’s election commitment to deliver a new housing strategy for the ACT?
MS BERRY: I thank Ms Cheyne for her interest in housing in the ACT. As members will know, I launched a new housing strategy yesterday with the Chief Minister and with many community organisations who provide vital support to people across the ACT. The strategy has been on a long journey and has been built on thousands of conversations with the Canberra community, highlighted by the summit last year.
It has been strengthened by the input of the consultative group that was made up of experts and community members from the sector, industry and community organisations, as well as public housing tenants. I want to thank them again for their important contribution.
The strategy that I tabled this morning will drive the government’s priorities in housing for the next 10 years and is a significant public investment in social and affordable housing. The ACT comes to the housing challenge with a strong foundation and has been active in making housing more affordable for over a decade.
Land supply has been accelerated and ongoing tax reform, which has been led by the Chief Minister, has helped moderate house price growth and avoid the extremes of Sydney and Melbourne. In social housing and homelessness, it is a record that we can be proud to stand by: the highest ratio of social housing in Australia, the lowest rate of rough sleeping in Australia and a reduction in homelessness, despite a national increase.
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