Page 596 - Week 02 - Thursday, 21 February 2019
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well advanced. You can see all around us, from the vantage point of this building, just how much change, development, renewal and enhancement are occurring in Canberra’s CBD.
ACT Health—SPIRE project
MRS DUNNE: My question is to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. Minister, I refer to the concept brief regarding the SPIRE project dated 15 October 2018, which was prepared for you. I seek leave to table a copy of the concept brief, which I received under the Freedom of Information Act.
Leave granted.
MRS DUNNE: Minister, in relation to this concept brief prepared in relation to SPIRE dated 15 October, it says, “The earliest the project would now deliver functional clinical areas would be 2025-26.” Minister, when will the SPIRE project deliver functional clinical areas?
MS FITZHARRIS: As previously stated, it will be in the 2023-24 financial year, subject to ongoing planning. But I can confirm the date, which has previously been set at 2023-24.
MRS DUNNE: Minister, what level of confidence do you have that the project will be completed by the time you state, as opposed to that stated in the concept brief that was prepared for you on 5 October last year?
MS FITZHARRIS: As members will know, large infrastructure projects are subject to detailed planning. That is well underway. Based on the planning to date, I have a high level of confidence that it will be delivered in that financial year.
MISS C BURCH: Minister, why should the Canberra community have confidence in your ability to deliver this project on time given your failure to deliver other projects on time?
MS FITZHARRIS: I am not sure what Miss Burch is referring to, but I note that in the past two years we have delivered the University of Canberra Hospital, we have also delivered the Gungahlin walk-in centre and we have updated and upgraded the acute aged-care ward at Canberra Hospital in addition to a range of other projects. I think the Canberra community can have confidence that this project is progressing well. Indeed, clinician workshops were held just last week to further inform the service planning for SPIRE. I very much look forward to construction commencing by next year.
Mrs Kikkert rising—
MADAM SPEAKER: Mrs Kikkert, before I give you the call for your question, you would be aware that I made a statement this morning in relation to your comments in the adjournment debate last night. You are aware of the statement I made this morning
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