Page 2459 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 14 November 1989
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These factors include the impact of seasonal trends, including what is described as the traditional downturn of activity over the Christmas period, and the impact of abnormally high activity levels which have occurred in the first quarter of this financial year.
One of the unfortunate factors about the reporting of this matter and the reaction to it - and I describe it as a reaction because I saw a number of groups within the community responding to the reports - is that a great deal of tension and disquiet has been generated amongst the health care providers. The first group to respond to this was the doctors union - based on rumours - and the reporting of that created some tensions amongst health care workers. Most recently, the Liberal Party spokesman on health got into the act as well.
I have to say that what I describe as the irresponsible reaction to the reporting has led to industrial tensions and an undermining of confidence in our hospital system. I recall that some little time ago the Leader of the Opposition complained.
MR SPEAKER: Order! Minister Berry, would you stick to the terms of the question, please.
MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, I think it is important to announce what we are doing about this issue. One of the issues that has developed as a result of the reporting of the $10m blow-out has been some industrial disquiet in the hospital system, and I intend to cap off my answer to the question by announcing what we will do about the industrial issues.
Mr Kaine: On a point of order, Mr Speaker; I submit that once again the Minister is using question time to make a statement on this matter. It is obvious that he is going to go on for some time and he is going to effectively destroy the purpose and use of question time for this Assembly. I ask, Mr Speaker, that he be directed to answer the question specifically so that we can get on with question time. If he wants to make a statement he can do it later.
MR SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Kaine. Please proceed, Minister Berry.
MR BERRY: Indeed, Mr Speaker, and I think the question asked what we are going to do about it. We are going to approach the budget issue responsibly, and we will approach the industrial issue responsibly by addressing it in a sensible industrial relations environment. We invite those people who do not really know enough about the situation to keep right out of it and let the Government get on with looking after the hospital system.
MR DUBY: I wish to ask a supplementary question, Mr Speaker. The Minister has denied that the figure of $10m is accurate. But the question also included: what is the
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