Page 1443 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 26 September 1989
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Question resolved in the affirmative.
Sitting suspended from 4.55 to 8.00 pm.
ACT PUBLIC HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT - STEERING COMMITTEE REPORT
Ministerial Statement and Papers
Debate resumed from 24 August 1989, on motion by Mr Berry:
That the Assembly takes note of the following papers:
ACT Public Hospital Redevelopment - Steering Committee Report -
Ministerial statement, 24 August 1989.
Report, 18 August 1989.
MR HUMPHRIES (8.00): This is a thorny issue, that has absorbed a great deal of attention in TV reports and newspaper columns in the last few weeks. In many respects I think it is a reflection of the depths of opinion that exist in our community about the ways in which we ought to use a place like Royal Canberra Hospital and the possibility that exists for its retention or for other uses of that site. I am aware that the Government has said that it intends in the course of the coming few weeks - I understand, before the end of October - to announce its decision on the use of the Royal Canberra site in light of the reports both of the original Kearney committee and also of the steering committee.
I accept that the Government feels it has to make some decision on that matter, and indeed I have been asked by the Minister to indicate the position of the Liberal Party. I have to indicate at the outset that I understand the Minister's urgency, but I also believe that it is important for us as an Assembly not to rush into any decisions on the use of that site. It is one of the most complex and difficult decisions that will be made by this Assembly and by this Government, and it would be quite wrong to make a decision either on the wrong grounds or in haste on an issue as important as this.
I know that it is an issue that presents to my mind as having the most potency for allowing this debate to go on a little time - more time than has been allowed so far. It is simply the fact that there are probably more options available to the Government than have been presented in the report of the steering committee. I would like to think that the options there, although well canvassed, are by no means the only options available to us. I know that my friend Mr Moore is exploring alternatives in that respect. I have canvassed a couple in the media. I know that the use of the site, for example, as an aged persons
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