Page 2090 - Week 07 - Thursday, 20 August 2020

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I understand that the assessment has indicated that the site is a key habitat area for many woodland bird species and many invertebrates. Several species of micro bats utilise the linkage that the area provides between Mount Majura and the Watson woodlands. Other significant species observed in this area include the golden sun moth and Rosenberg’s monitor. It is an area that does provide important habitat.

Overall, the investigation indicates that the site has ecological value and there is potential for regeneration of the woodland’s community. Having made those findings, I think that the work should now continue to progress the potential rezoning of this land to incorporate it into Canberra’s network of nature reserves so that we can make sure that we give these threatened ecological communities and the species that are reliant on them the best possible chance into the future.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

COVID-19 pandemic response—health workers

MRS DUNNE (Ginninderra) (2.53): I move:

That this Assembly:

(1) notes the tireless and dedicated work of health workers in Canberra during the COVID-19 pandemic;

(2) further notes the neglect by the ACT Labor/Greens Government of the basic rights of Canberra’s tireless health workers to:

(a) a safe workplace culture;

(b) proper leave provisions;

(d) ensure that Canberra’s health staff receive their proper remuneration;

(3) thanks health workers for their service to the Canberra Community; and

(4) calls on the ACT Government to immediately commence an independent audit of the Canberra Health Services’ pay system, over the last six years, to:

(a) determine if the staff have been underpaid; and

(b) pay staff any back pay owing or recover any overpayments.

I am very pleased today, as we come to the end of the parliamentary year in what has been an extraordinary year, that we take time to pause and note the work that has been done by Canberra health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. To pick up on the themes of Ms Stephen-Smith and me earlier today when the minister made her COVID-19 update, it is very important in this situation that we do take time to acknowledge our health workers. One of Australia’s great strengths is to come together when the chips are down and to support each other when times are tough and to be one community for the benefit of all when we are facing a challenge or a foe.

We have seen this many times before: in the devastating bushfires last summer and countless times before, including, perhaps, Canberra’s darkest hours in 2003 when we

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