Greens leader and Justice Minister Shane Rattenbury will aim to bring Indigenous incarceration rates to parity by 2030. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
On The Campaign Trail today, the Greens’ ambitious plan to reduce Indigenous incarceration rates, Labor commits $34 million for sports facilities and an enduring legacy to remember Sue Salthouse.
A 25 per cent decrease in recidivism rates by 2025 and bringing Indigenous incarceration rates to parity by 2030 have formed the cornerstones of a new four-year, $20 million justice package from the Greens.
The target goes beyond the 15 per cent reduction in Indigenous over-representation in the criminal justice system by 2031 under the current Closing the Gap strategy. The current national target means parity would not be achieved until 2093, the Greens said.
Initiatives like the Nurraambai Bail Support Program, Justice Housing Program, and Drug and Alcohol Court will also receive extra funding under the package.
New sports facilities across Canberra
Labor will put aside $17 million for new and upgraded sports facilities across Canberra and spend an extra $7.5 million for a new pavilion and upgraded grandstand at Phillip Enclosed Oval if they are re-elected this month.
Under the fund, amenities will be upgraded at Kingston Oval, Greenway Oval and Holt District Playing Fields while the playing fields at Mawson, Kambah, Watson and Amaroo will all have lighting upgrades installed.
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Netball courts across Canberra will also be re-surfaced, and new amenities built, for an additional $7.5 million.
“ACT Labor is also improving the sustainability of public facilities through a trial of new technologies to reduce the amount of water needed to maintain sports grounds,” Sports Minister Yvette Berry said.
A permanent home for dragon boating will also be built for $1.7 million, according to Ms Berry. While a location has not been chosen, Grevillea Park is the preferred spot. The new facility will include a boathouse, boat store and spectator space.
Sports Minister Yvette Berry has pledged another $34 million for local sport facility upgrades and construction. Photo: Region Media.
New Sue Salthouse Scholarship for women with disabilities
The Canberra Liberals will establish a $10,000 scholarship for women with disabilities in memory of the late Sue Salthouse, a passionate advocate for the vulnerable in our community who was named the ACT Senior Citizen of the Year in 2020.
The scholarship will support initiatives that encourage women with a disability to participate in the workforce and advocacy programs. The exact criteria will be determined with the co-operation of Ms Salthouse’s family, the Liberals said.
Ms Salthouse died in July after her wheelchair-accessible motorcycle was involved in an accident on Commonwealth Avenue bridge.
“Nearly 80,000 Canberrans live with a disability [and] unfortunately, many of these people continue to experience discrimination and barriers to their full and equal participation in our community,” Canberra Liberals spokeswoman for disability Elizabeth Lee said.
An extra $170,000 of funding will also be given to disability advocacy groups and peak bodies under the umbrella organisation SHOUT each year, Ms Lee said.
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