Community health a top priority in a family first Budget - northern suburbs (2)

STATE BUDGET 2004-05: FAMILIES FIRST
NORTHERN SUBURBS
6/5/04
A significant investment in health is the hallmark of this year's State Budget in the northern suburbs, underpinning the Gallop Government's commitment to make Western Australia a better place for families.
Work will continue on the Osborne Park Hospital to complete an $11.65million upgrade to the hospital's theatres and mental health unit. A total of $12million over two years will also be spent on the development of a Cancer Centre of Excellence at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.
Upgrades to Princess Margaret and King Edward hospital, well used by local residents, will be completed with a $10.5million Budget allocation. Work on the Telstra Burns Unit at Royal Perth Hospital will also begin ($3million).
Treasurer Eric Ripper said spending increases in key areas such as health, education and community safety showed the Gallop Government was putting families first.
"Health alone will receive 25 per cent or $2.8billion of the total Budget spending, with money set aside to employ an extra 115 nurses on top of the 927 already recruited," Mr Ripper said.
"Child protection, providing more public housing, support for both low-income home buyers and seniors, and transport concessions, are highlights of this year's family first Budget."
The Treasurer said the Government's fourth balanced Budget delivered tax relief, a crackdown on crime and recognised that more jobs, better health services and quality education remained top community priorities.

He said the Government's record capital works investment aimed to keep the WA economy growing strongly, creating more jobs and opportunities.
Key capital works projects funded in the northern suburbs include:

• $4.8million over two years to construct a new State Athletics Centre at AK Reserve;
• $500,000 on recreation site development, carparks and interpretation in the Herdsman Lake Regional Park;
• almost $2million will be spent to continue the infill sewerage program in Scarborough and Wembley Downs;
• $2.3million to begin work on an infill sewerage program in Hamersley;
• $284,000 to install an overflow storage on the Gindleford Road pumping station in Balcatta; and
• $515,000 for work on the Deanmore Square branch drain.

Mr Ripper said the State's police budget this year was a record total of $615.8million, an increase of 7.5 per cent.
The Treasurer said funding education was a major priority for the Government, with the successful Behaviour Management and Discipline Program being extended in 2004-05 with a $36.5million funding boost over four years to provide our young people with the best start in life.
"In the past year nearly 16 specialist literacy and numeracy teachers have been employed in the north metropolitan region alone, as part of the Getting it Right Literacy and Numeracy Program," he said.
The region has also been targeted for participation in the 100 Schools Project to boost student skills in information technology. Local schools will be provided with $374,871 in extra funding over the next 12-months for the rollout of new information technology equipment.
The Gallop Government has committed a further $10.3million over four years to purchase and provide additional resources for public libraries State-wide.
Mr Ripper said while all families would benefit from the initiatives funded in this Budget, those targeting the vulnerable and the needy demonstrated our maturity and commitment as a community.
Treasurer's office: 9222 9795