Page 2578 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 15 November 1989
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
decision and the Government is acting to deliver a decision in relation to that matter; it just cannot be left lie.
Mr Humphries: But how long does it take?
Mr Kaine: Seven years.
MR BERRY: Well, it will take five to seven years for the restructuring of the hospital system. You have got mixed up, Mr Kaine. I have already said that the decision will be taken by the end of November.
The interim hospitals board raised the issue of budget problems in October. I responded immediately by setting up a Treasury team to assist the interim board to identify the extent of its problem and to formulate measures to overcome the deficit. That was done at the request of the interim board.
The Treasury team has been working in a constructive and cooperative manner - no bull in a china shop stuff - with officers from my department since Monday, 6 November. It is operating under the guidance of a steering committee comprising the general manager of my department, the acting chairman of the interim hospitals board, and the under treasurer.
I received a preliminary report, which I mentioned in this house, from the Treasury review team on 14 November - that was my birthday and I treated it as a birthday present - which does not support the recently publicised figure of a suggested $10m blow-out. It did not support it. So we acted responsibly in getting that team in there. The review team also advised that a supposed overrun of $2.5m to the end of September was probably exaggerated. The review is still under way, and it is expected to be completed by the end of this month.
Mr Humphries: Release the whole report so we will know.
MR BERRY: Watch my lips. Of course I am not going to anticipate the recommendations but I will work quickly to address any issues raised just as soon as they are raised.
Mr Humphries: Quickly, yes; Wayne "Lightning" Berry strikes again!
MR BERRY: The current industrial situation has to be addressed, and I hope that Mr Humphries will support an extension of the time that I am given to enable me to deliver this speech because his interjections are holding me up.
Mr Jensen: I will give you an extension, Wayne.
MR BERRY: Thanks, Norman. There is no doubt about it, there is an element of disappointment in that two of the major health industry unions are considering industrial
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .