ACT Greens spokesperson for Health, Amanda Bresnan MLA has called on the ACT Government to provide $300,000 a year in the next budget to non-government organisations for the provision of after-hours emergency mental health services.

“The Greens believe that mental health services have been underfunded for too long,” said Ms Bresnan today.

“Our Parliamentary Agreement with the ACT Government requires it to spend a proportion of new health money on mental health each year, and most specifically on community organisations working in that field.”

“$300,000 a year  to non-government organisations for the provision of after-hours emergency mental health services could prevent the unnecessary hospitalisation of people with a mental illness, and relieve the burden on the Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team (CATT).”

“There are many instances where people suffering from a severe mental illness have a good relationship with a community worker who they could talk to quickly, rather than waiting and then having issues escalate so they require the assistance of CATT.”

“This Government has a long way to go in adequately funding mental health services, and the Greens will continue to work hard on the cross bench to ensure that mental health services are a priority.”

Chief Minister’s Department Annual Report Hearing has revealed that the Greens’ Agreement Proposal to transfer the Community Engagement Unit back to the Chief Minister’s Department has been a success.
 
“I was pleased to hear that the Chief Minister and his Executive report that there has been a noticeable increase in community input into consultation processes since the Community Engagement Unit was transferred,” Greens Parliamentary Convenor, Meredith Hunter MLA, said today.

“Community consultation is now a Whole-of Government exercise again, and the Government has had to improve consultation processes to ensure that community voices are being heard.

“After a clear statement from the electorate in 2008, the Government has been more receptive to pressure to better consult with the Canberra community.
 
Thus far, the new unit has run or is running consultations including:

- 40 Km/h Speed Limits around Shopping Centres and Community Facilities
- Cycleways and Footpaths
- The South Canberra cemetery
- Playground Safety

“The Community Noticeboard on the Government website, and also printed weekly in the Canberra Times is also working well.  The Greens have now asked that this weekly ad be extended to the Chronicle – Canberra’s free weekly paper delivered to most ACT householders,” Ms Hunter said.

The ACT Greens welcome today’s road safety roundtable, hosted by the Government, and the proposal to explore the possibility of adopting the Swedish Vision Zero road safety strategy. These consultations align with one of the items in the Greens-Labor agreement.

“Sweden’s ‘Vision Zero’ idea is the kind of safety-oriented traffic system that we want the Government to work towards.” ACT Greens Roads and Planning spokesperson, Caroline Le Couteur MLA, said today.

“One of Vision Zero’s key principles is to reduce vehicle speed in urban areas such as town centres, where there are many pedestrians. Sweden’s system prioritises the safety of people, including vulnerable pedestrians and cyclists. It’s been proven that reduced speed limits in these areas makes a huge difference to casualties and fatalities.”

“We want the discussions and consultations to prioritise issues such as 40 or 30km/h speed zones and child-friendly urban planning. The Greens believe these are essential to reducing the number of casualties and fatalities, which is why we advocated for these to be in the Parliamentary Agreement with the Government.”

“The Vision Zero concept also places responsibility for road users’ safety with road designers and planners, which is a very important mind shift.”

“I hope the Government uses this opportunity to do something truly visionary, and adopt a new approach to planning that prioritises safety and sustainability.” Ms Le Couteur said.

ACT Greens Parliamentary Convenor Meredith Hunter MLA has pointed to key initiatives in the ACT budget as setting the direction for the future.

“This Budget is a sign that with a strong Greens presence in the Legislative Assembly, the people of the ACT can expect a more sustainable Canberra – socially, economically and environmentally” Meredith Hunter said today.

“The budget incorporates many initiatives that we know the people of Canberra will welcome. They include the reopening of a library in the inner south, mental health training for teachers and emergency service the introduction of bus rapid transit, the expansion of Canberra’s urban wetlands, and a comprehensive program to improve home water and energy efficiency in our homes.”

“At a broader level, however, it is still not clear how this Government imagines we will work our way back from deficit. At its heart this is really a business as usual budget, rather than a vision for our times.”

“The ACT Greens /ALP agreement has delivered some key outcomes for Canberra people. But clearly there is a lot to be done now to make sure the initiatives in this budget are just the first steps to a sustainable economy for Canberra.”

“It needs the ACT Government itself to take on the challenge of building a fairer and more sustainable economy, as we work our way out of this recession” Ms Hunter said.

CIT Funding.pdf, Cycle and Footpaths.pdf, Homeless Legal Service.pdf, Plastic Bags.pdf, Switch Your Thinking.pdf, Community Sector Funding.pdf, Environment Package.pdf, Inner South Library.pdf, Public Transport.pdf, Urban Wetlands.pdf, Court Mental Health Staff.pdf, Grasslands Plan.pdf, Mental Health Training.pdf, Recycling.pdf

ACT Greens Climate Change and Environment spokesperson, Shane Rattenbury MLA, says the increased green energy buy-up announced today is the kind of policy we will see more of with four Greens in the Assembly.

“The announcement made by the ACT Government today will hopefully be one of many this Budget week that lets all Canberrans know that having Greens in the Assembly will lead to a greener and more sustainable ACT.” said Mr Rattenbury today.

“This is just the beginning – the first step along the path to 100% renewable energy use by the ACT Government, as outlined in the ALP-Greens agreement.”

“The exciting thing about this announcement is that it puts ACT government operations back at the forefront of renewable energy use nationally. Once again, the ACT is starting to be out in front on environmental issues.”

“Greens budget items that have been announced already such as the improvements to public transport and renewable energy buy-up will benefit the community and the environment.” Mr Rattenbury said.

ACT Greens Transport spokesperson, Amanda Bresnan MLA, has described the REDEX trial as a big step in the right direction for public transport in Canberra.

“It’s good to see the improvements to public transport we took to the election bearing fruit so soon,” Ms Bresnan said today.

“We’re also pleased to see a major item of The Greens/ALP Agreement progressing in this first budget.”

“Rapid transit routes are the first step towards the modern, sustainable transport system that Canberra has needed for too long.”

“The two qualities that bring people onto public transport are frequency and speed and the Greens are determined to make improvements in both areas.”

“We congratulate the Chief Minister for taking this on, and we will continue to work with the Government towards a sustainable transport plan.” Ms Bresnan said.