Released 24/08/2018
Since the 2016 Election, the ACT Government has been delivering on our commitments to the people of Canberra.
Our stable Territory Government is supporting an inclusive, progressive and connected community. Our economy is growing faster than any other state or territory and population growth continues to be above the national average.
Earlier this week, we welcomed an eighth member to the ACT Cabinet. The expanded Ministry will strengthen our focus in the areas that matter most to Canberrans, and give us the capacity to focus on emerging priorities as our city continues to grow.
I will take on the portfolio of Social Inclusion and Equality. My commitment has been to lead a progressive Government that supports an inclusive city. One of our priorities is to assist in the repeal of the Andrews Bill that restricts the ACT Government from even considering assisted dying legislation. With other state Governments around Australia implementing their own legislation, the ACT deserves the right to have a conversation with our community on this important issue.
I will also continue to focus on expanding national and international investment and trade opportunities for our growing industry base and creating more good jobs for Canberrans.
The Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry has been leading policy development on the next phase of ACT Government investment in public, community and affordable housing. We acknowledge that housing is crucial to the liveability of our city. With the largest renewal of public housing in the city’s history coming to an end, we are looking to the next stage of our housing reform, and the Deputy Chief Minister will detail this plan later this year.
Delivering better health care to Canberrans when and where they need it is a core priority for the Government. We have now delivered the city’s third public hospital at the University of Canberra. We are building more nurse-led walk-in centres and we are hiring more nurses and doctors in our hospitals to keep up with growing demand. Minister Fitzharris will continue to lead this work as the Minister for Health and Wellbeing, and will increase the Government’s efforts in the growing Medical and Health Research sector which will be a source of future jobs for this city.
Minister Fitzharris will also continue to oversee the Government’s plans for a better public transport network- rolling out further stages of our city-wide light rail network and finalising a new bus network for Canberra.
Minister Gentleman will assist me in promoting and facilitating the development of the ACT’s Advanced Technology and Space industries. This includes focus on agricultural and environmental sciences, cyber security and defence, renewable energy industries and space.
The ACT Government has introduced strong reforms to crack down on dodgy builders and developers in the territory. Canberrans should have confidence that any new property purchased in the territory adheres to Australian building quality standards. Minister Ramsay will continue this work in the newly created portfolio of Building Quality Improvement.
As an inclusive city, the ACT Government must continue to provide equal opportunities to all Canberrans. We are leading the nation in disability reform, and Minister Stephen-Smith will support the territory’s transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme as the Minister for Disability, and the Minister for Children, Youth and Families. The Minister will add Urban Renewal to her portfolio responsibilities, overseeing key renewal sites such as the Yarralumla Brickworks.
Minister Stephen-Smith will also take on the newly created portfolio of Government Services and Procurement, focusing on the implementation of the ACT’s Local Jobs Code. The Code will ensure the ACT has the strongest protections for workers’ pay and conditions on public projects anywhere in the country. The Minister will also be responsible for Worksafe ACT.
Minister Rattenbury will continue in his current portfolio areas, including Climate Change and Sustainability. The National Energy Guarantee may be dead, but we plan to continue the ACT’s national leadership in the transition to a low carbon economy. Minister Rattenbury will work on new projects to help the territory achieve our target of zero net emissions by 2045.
Minister Steel will join the Cabinet as the Minister for City Services. Having spent the past two years as a hard working Member for Murrumbidgee, Minister Steel has been a strong voice for Canberra’s south, acknowledging the role that our city services play in the liveability of our city. Minister Steel will combine his responsibilities in City Services with the Roads portfolio, as well as Community Services and Facilities, and Multicultural Affairs.
Minister Steel is passionate about the renewal of the Woden Centre, and he will lead the Government’s investments to supporting Woden through our renewal projects and new community facilities. Minister Steel’s appointment to the Ministry will mean that every electorate is represented in the Cabinet.
The Government has a strong team of Ministers who are passionate about the work they are undertaking, and I look forward to working with the Deputy Chief Minister and my Cabinet colleagues as we work towards our goal of making Canberra even more inclusive, progressive and connected.
- Statement ends -
Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases
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