ACT Labor: Hospital infrastructure

ACT Labor has promised to prioritise construction of new hospital infrastructure to meet the needs of Canberra’s growing population.

A new northside hospital in Belconnen would have bigger Emergency Department, a bigger Intensive Care Unit, and more operating theatres, featuring the latest medical technology and equipment. Labor would consult with health workers, consumers, and carers to make sure the hospital was that is fit-for-purpose.

“Labor is the only party to commit to a new public hospital in Canberra’s north,” a spokesperson said. “It’s a critical project that will support healthcare in our city for decades to come, and that’s why we will start construction on the project in the next term. We are prioritising this project to ensure every Canberran has access to the right healthcare, in the right place and at the right time.”

At Canberra Hospital campus in Woden, Labor would build a new, multi‑storey carpark on Yamba Drive to make it easier for staff, patients and visitors. Construction would start in the next term. Labor would also upgrade the Yamba Drive entry, open a new acute palliative care ward, and expand endoscopy services.

Labor also plans to hire 800 more health workers, expand services at Walk-in Centres, and deliver more health services.

Canberra Liberals: Strata and Building Commissioner

In the final sitting week, Mark Parton, Shadow Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction, persuaded the other two parties to appoint a building quality and strata commissioner. Now, the Canberra Liberals have made it an election commitment.

Canberra Liberals leader Elizabeth Lee said the Commissioner would be a single point of contact for Canberrans facing issues with strata living and building quality, and champion legislative improvements for strata corporations, better interactions with ACAT, and more accessible and useful government programs.

“A Commissioner will be an agent for change and will play a significant role in determining practical steps that we can take to address the growing concerns within our strata community, as well as improving building quality in Canberra.”

“Over the last decade, we’ve seen the ACT Government pushing more Canberrans into strata properties by not offering genuine choice when it comes to housing options, but we have not seen the same level of enthusiasm for ensuring that the concerns of strata owners and residents are heard and resolved,” Ms Lee said.

Mr Parton said that one of the Commissioner’s first priorities would be to better support the take-up of shared energy infrastructure in apartment buildings and townhouse complexes. They would remove obstacles to rooftop solar and EV charging.

“We hear of too many examples where there’s a broad support in a complex … but nothing happens,” Mr Parton said.

“The current approach by the ACT Labor-Greens government is not working, and that is why the Canberra Liberals have a plan to improve accessibility, engagement, and responsiveness right across government.”

Chief Minister Andrew Barr said that ACT Labor would announce their policy closer to election day.

“Clearly, there is an issue. It’s an emerging set of challenges beyond just building quality, and we recognise that,” he said.

The ACT Greens have also promised to establish an independent Rental Commissioner to resolve rental questions and disputes outside the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The role would expand to cover strata and property services.

Strata and building commissioners are all the rage these days: the Strong Independents committed to one on Tuesday, and Fiona Carrick on Wednesday.

Peter Strong AM (Strong Independents) said: “The Liberals have adopted the policies of the Independents on strata, which is good. However, the Libs are prone to be influenced by big developers, so a cross bench of strong independents is still needed in the next assembly, otherwise a Strata Commissioner won’t happen in the way that benefits the people.

“The powers will be watered down, and the Commissioner will be left without the ability and resources needed. Or, worse still, the Commissioner would be appointed by the Liberals, and would not be independent of the construction and property sector, and would be an ‘insider’ with vested interests of their own.”

Fiona Carrick said: “We need to look at people’s concerns across the housing sector and establish an independent Housing Commission to meet their needs.

“A Housing Commission could provide building regulation and compliance services, and support all participants in rentals, retirement villages and strata with education and dispute resolution. An independent Housing Commissioner would deliver reports to the Legislative Assembly recommending legislative reform and fair practices in the housing sector.

“This is an opportunity to develop an integrated strategy that builds organisational capability in a Housing Commission to provide a comprehensive, timely and effective response that leads to a more secure and equitable housing environment for everyone.”

Belco Party: Animal welfare

The Belco Party’s animal mascots today announced their animal welfare policy. They would set up an independent inquiry into the recent kangaroo cull that resulted in the deaths of 300 wallabies at Mulligans Flat Reserve.

A new RSPCA Facility would be built at Pialligo, including an animal hospital and better facilities. The Weston site would be sold to fund the project. The ACT Government’s annual contribution to the RSPCA would increase from $800,000 to $1.5 million.

The Animal Welfare Act would be amended to impose harsher penalties for cruelty to animals, including increasing imprisonment terms.

The Belco Party also committed to regular monitoring of animal welfare in the ACT and collaborating with the RSPCA to address any legal shortcomings.

“The Belco Party encourages the three parties already in the Assembly to adapt these policies, and urges all candidates contesting the election to commit to these or something similar,” the Belco Party said. “Animals are sentient beings and enrich our lives in so many ways. We have a duty to properly protect them.”

The Animal Justice Party ACT agrees with the Belco Party that the annual kangaroo cull is “disastrous”, but criticised the Belco Party for only calling for an inquiry, rather than demanding an immediate cessation of the cull until the inquiry was completed. The cull had broader ecological consequences, spokeswoman Robyn Soxsmith argued: because kangaroos managed vegetation, their loss created environments inimical to other species such as earless dragons, whose status had changed from endangered to critically endangered since the annual culls began.

The AJP supported the Belco Party’s proposals to build a new RSPCA facility, amend the Animal Welfare Act to increase penalties for animal cruelty, and increase government funding for the RSPCA.

However, the AJP supported further measures, including increased government support for the foster and rescue system, assistance for low-income pet owners with veterinary costs, and assistance with full-yard cat containment.

The AJP also advocates for more extensive reforms, such as banning the use of certain poisons for wildlife control; allowing the rescue and rehabilitation of injured or orphaned eastern grey kangaroos; permitting the translocation of kangaroos to properties offering to take them; and providing capture, desex, and release services to stray cat colonies.