MEASURING OUR PROGRESS: NEW REPORT CARD ON LIFE IN CANBERRA

Canberrans are more water-wise, less wasteful and more satisfied with the quality of the ACT's public schools and services at The Canberra Hospital, according the ACT's Government latest report card on life in Canberra.

The Measuring Our Progress report, which now has a dedicated website, was released today by the Chief Minister, Jon Stanhope.

"Measuring Our Progress provides a snap-shot of life in Canberra against 28 indicators in areas including health, safety, sustainability, and education," Mr Stanhope said. "It aims to provide a complete picture of our progress, as a community and as a Government, towards a healthy, safer and more prosperous city."

Of the 28 indicators, the report card showed improvement in 16 areas including life expectancy, employment, child protection, education standards and participation in sport.

Eight indicators showed stable progress and only four showed a slight decline in progress including an increase in greenhouse gas emissions and our ecological footprint, and a decline in the proportion of Canberrans having regular face-to-face contact with family or friends outside of their household.

"The advantage of tracking these trends is that the Government can respond with polices and programs that will lead to a better report card next year," Mr Stanhope said.

"The web-based report will be updated as new data is released and will be used to inform community engagement and the development of government policy. The indicators are aligned with the themes of The Canberra Plan: Towards Our Second Century, the ACT Government's plan to build a better future for our growing city."

The new website is part of a program of work being led by the Chief Minister's Department to improve performance and accountability across government, and builds on a preliminary report by the Allens Consulting Group, which is available online at www.cmd.act.gov.au.

An updated performance and accountability framework is expected to be released before the end of the year. To find out more and to access the report card visit www.MeasuringOurProgress.act.gov.au/.

Media Contact:

Chantelle Lustri 6205 2775 0434 560 770 chantelle.lustri@act.gov.au
Jess Wurf 6205 0504 0411 772 700 jess.wurf@act.gov.au