waiting lists over four years. Canberra Hospital will become the major tertiary referral hospital, while Calvary Public Hospital will provide more specialised services. Public housing Criteria for allocation of Public housing has been made more stringent. Single people earning more than 60% of the average wage and couples earning more than 75% of the average wage will not be eligible. 500 dwellings will be sold and the money reinvested in other public housing. Police & emergency services The ACT police force will be increased by 60 more police. Surveillance in the territory will increase with a network of Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in public places and on ACTION buses. The ACT Emergency Services Authority (ESA) will be re-absorbed into the ACT Department of Justice & Community Safety. A new emergency services headquarters at Fairbairn will be built at a cost of $17.3 million. Public service New recruits will have employer superannuation contributions curbed at 9 per cent; compared with 15.4% for existing employees and 29% contributions towards the Chief Minister's superannuation. The ACT public service will be cut by 500 jobs. A new department will absorb several agencies including Environment ACT and sport and recreation. Increases in taxes and charges Despite the cuts in services and school closures, the average ACT household will pay around $400 more each year: rates will rise by 6 per cent and households will be charged a new fire and emergency services levy of $84. Household water bills will increase in the order of $100 per year. There will be a new water fee of 30 cents per kilolitre. This fee will be added to water abstraction charges nearly doubling them to 55 cents per kilolitre. Accounting changes The Government has changed its accounting system so the Budget does not include fluctuating amounts like superannuation returns. See also Australian Capital Territory Education in the Australian Capital Territory References ACT budget Economy of the Australian Capital Territory Australian budgets State government finances in Australia austrtalia June 2006 events in Australia