Page 3037 - Week 08 - Thursday, 15 August 2019
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
and to ensure that our courts are accessible, this budget contains a range of measures to improve the public service and to support government transparency.
The 2018-19 budget review included $3 million in 2018-19 and 2019-20 to support the processing of requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act. There has been a significant increase in the number and the complexities of FOI applications received across government since the commencement of that new FOI Act. The funding will enable the government to employ additional staff to ensure the timely handling of the applications.
The budget includes $1.9 million to support the ACT Ombudsman’s role under the Freedom of Information Act and as the principal officer for the ACT judicial commission. These services support the integrity of systems for accessing government information and for the oversight of judicial officers in the ACT. The funding reflects the government’s commitment to transparency and to accountability.
Finally, this budget provides $4.3 million over four years to provide additional resources to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal, or ACAT, for it to hear disputes arising under the new motor accident injury scheme. This will be an important service for Canberrans who are seeking to access treatment and care when they are injured in a car accident. The funding is in addition to the $400,000 provided in the 2018-19 budget review.
This budget delivers real, valuable justice services for Canberrans. Our courts will be better equipped to support vulnerable people and to address the causes of crime and not just the consequences of crime. The hardworking professionals in our community legal centres, at Legal Aid and at our Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions will receive support to do even more for our community.
This government will keep working to make sure that our values are backed up by resources and we will keep delivering reforms and initiatives that make our justice system even timelier, even more transparent and even more accessible for Canberrans. I commend this section of the budget to the Assembly.
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Manager of Government Business, Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Minister for Planning and Land Management, Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Minister assisting the Chief Minister on Advanced Technology and Space Industries) (4.18): I would like to commence by expressing my thanks and the government’s appreciation to all the staff who work in each of our emergency services for their continued efforts in keeping the ACT community safe.
As the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, I am pleased to support the 2019-20 budget, which contains a number of initiatives that will enhance emergency service capabilities for the ACT.
In the 2019 ACT budget we will deliver a major boost to resources for ACT Policing, supporting the service in transitioning to a new service model that will better support the Canberra community into the future. The new model will see ACT Policing take a
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video