Treasurer’s message Our vision for Canberra: for an even better Canberra Where our money goes Where our money comes from Health and education investment for Canberra Economic growth and diversification for Canberra Suburban renewal and better transport for Canberra Enhancing liveability and social inclusion for Canberra Economic outlook Fiscal outlook
Enhancing liveability & social inclusion for Canberra
It is the people of Canberra, with their diversity and inclusiveness, who make this city what it is.
Canberra is a place where we look after our most vulnerable, and the ACT Government is making sure that everyone has the opportunity to fully participate and thrive in the Canberra community.
Safer families
Addressing family violence
Family violence is a serious issue facing our community. Perpetrators must be held accountable, but action on violence cannot be limited to a law and order response. We need to support victims in the immediate aftermath of violence and family breakdown. We need to support victims and their families to rebuild, and we need to protect and support children living with family violence.
And it is imperative that we reshape our society to change attitudes to prevent family violence from occurring.
The $21.4 million Safer Families package in this budget will drive the next phase of improvements in a whole-of-government, community-backed response to family violence.
There will be an increased focus from police and the Director of Public Prosecutions in preventing and responding to violence. Improvements will be made to the way our courts deal with family violence, especially for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Greater support will be given to victims as they work their way through the justice system.
We are improving case management by taking a holistic approach to deliver assistance and support. Case workers will be available to assist victims, whether their first port of call is the hospital, legal aid or the police.
Crisis services will be enhanced, with over $800,000 in additional funding for the Domestic Violence Crisis Service.
We are making sure that women who have experienced domestic violence have the financial help they need to access accommodation, through establishing a brokerage fund to make small grants and short-term loans to help get them back on their feet.
Inclusion & liveability
Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
The ACT Government recognises that overcoming disadvantage requires a range of interconnected and holistic support services to heal from the past and allow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to reach their potential.
In 2008, the ACT Government established the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body, to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in the ACT to have a strong, democratically elected voice.
In keeping with the advice of the Elected Body, this budget includes new initiatives to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. It addresses disadvantage in the ACT through strong connections to culture, through supporting people through the justice system, through healthcare and through ensuring career opportunities.
Public Housing
The ACT Government is undertaking an unprecedented renewal of our public housing stock, which commenced in 2015, investing more than half a billion dollars over four years. New properties will be more energy efficient, comfortable and fit for purpose and will be located all around Canberra.
Safer communities
We are proud of our volunteers and the ACT Government endeavours to support their excellent work. This budget includes funding for a new SES station in Calwell. We are also upgrading the Fyshwick Fire and Rescue Station and the Guises Creek Rural Fire Station. Work on the Aranda co-located Ambulance and Fire and Rescue Station is well underway.
We are undertaking an upgrade of the ESA website hosting arrangement and emergency warning telephony system.
Ambulance services will be enhanced,
with additional resources for the Emergency 000 communications centre and extra staff and an extra vehicle for
non-emergency patient transport.
The Government will provide $2.6 million to enhance aero-medical retrieval services by supporting the operation of a new AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter.
$3.1 million will be dedicated to enhancing security measures for ACT Policing, including improved personal protective equipment and employing additional Protective Service Officers.
The ACT Government is also embarking on a major upgrade of the ACT Law Courts, delivering significant improvements in safety and usability for the precinct which receives over 200,000 visits each year.
