A bakery will be established at the Alexander Maconochie Centre to expand employment opportunities for detainees with more than $500,000 set aside in the next financial year for the program and additional staff.
The initiative was revealed in ACT government budget papers on Tuesday, which showed the program would cost almost $2.5 million over four years.
Also in the budget, Ainslie Fire and Rescue Station will receive funds for a second pumper crew and almost $150,000 has been set aside for firefighter recruitment in the next financial year with the aim of an even split between men and women.
ACT Rural Fire Service volunteers will be eligible for an $100 annual subsidy for gym memberships or fitness programs, costing $55,000 in 2017-18.
The government will construct a water reticulation system to provide emergency firefighting water for Tharwa Village with $250,000 set aside for capital investment in 2017-18.
The system will pump non-potable water from the Murrumbidgee River during bushfires.
As well, ACT Policing will receive almost $630,000 for Tasers to help respond to "imminent threats", fulfilling a Labor election commitment.
Six new police will be employed to run extra patrols in nightlife areas and funds have been set aside to help ACT Policing plan its future operational model.
No extra money was put forward in support of improved mental health services for frontline Emergency Services Agency workers.Â
"The initiative will be offset by the benefits flowing to the ESA from these services in the form of lower absenteeism, lower workers' compensation costs and a more productive workforce," budget papers said.
More than $5 million was set aside to assist ACT Policing, the ACT Legal Aid Commission, the ACT Law Courts and Tribunal and the Director of Public Prosecutions with the retrial of David Harold Eastman and "other related proceedings". The funds do not extend beyond 2017-18.
Almost $500,000 will be spent on the scoping and design of a dedicated drug and alcohol court.
The government will work with the justice, drug and alcohol service sectors to find out the best model for the ACT with the funds set to tick off part of a condition of the parliamentary agreement between Labor and the Greens.
The Canberra Times Assembly team have just been let out of the ACT budget lock-up and are discussing what it means for the city.
Posted by The Canberra Times on Monday, 5 June 2017