Page 263 - Week 01 - Thursday, 13 February 2020
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MR STEEL: I thank Mr Gupta for his question. I am very pleased to advise the Assembly that we are continuing to invest in public transport to ensure that it is more accessible for Canberrans, and the ticketing system is an important part of that.
This week I have announced that we will be transitioning to a new public transport ticketing system to provide public transport users in Canberra with more convenient and flexible options to pay for public transport, whether that is through a credit card, whether that is through cash, the existing method, or whether that is through a mobile phone or a travel card linked to an account. It will also have the benefit beyond the ticketing system to provide further information to Transport Canberra customers about their travel, to help them plan their trip, and provide the most advanced ticketing technology available so that we also match some of the cities that are transitioning at the same time right around the world.
Public transport users will significantly benefit from this system, and I look forward to further updating the community about the features of the ticketing system once we have finalised the procurement process.
Alexander Maconochie Centre—health services
MRS JONES: My question is to the Minister for Corrections and Justice Health. I refer to a survey contained in the healthy prisons report, which found that 82 per cent of prisoners claimed that they had difficulty getting general medical services when needed. Prisoners currently have to wait an average of two weeks to see a doctor on a non-urgent basis, while capacity issues and unfilled positions add to the issues. Minister, why do most prisoners and detainees at the AMC have difficulty getting access to medical services when, in their view, they are needed?
MR RATTENBURY: I can assure the chamber that justice health services runs a very clear triage system; where detainees need urgent treatment, they are given that straightaway. There is, at times, a wait for access to non-urgent appointments, as there might be in the community. That is setting the standard that we strive for: an equivalent standard to what someone might see in the community. I can also inform the Assembly that we have in recent times had some staff shortages in justice health services, but I am also able to confirm that there has been a successful recruitment process and we are now back up to full staff in justice health.
MRS JONES: Minister, when did that recruitment process begin, when was it concluded, and are there currently any roles unfilled or in the process of being filled rather than currently filled?
MR RATTENBURY: I will take the detail on notice, but as I answered in response to the last question, I have recently been briefed that justice health consider themselves to be back up to full capability now. I will provide the details to Mrs Jones on notice.
MRS DUNNE: Minister, what impact did the recent lockdown at the AMC have on access to medical treatment and medications? Were you satisfied with the services available to inmates during that period?
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