Page 3027 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 5 December 1989
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reviews of staffing and service areas. We have, after consultation with the community, despite all the whinges from the other side, released the blueprint for the future hospitals development and, in consultation with the dedicated workers, we have commenced work to make the system more efficient. Savings need to be made, but not at the expense of services.
The redevelopment plans will take five to seven years to implement and will yield a modern, integrated hospital system to serve the ACT community well into the twenty-first century. This Government is not simply offering bandaids to patch up perceived problems, nor will this Government undermine the system by taking cheap options to shut down hospitals and endanger the health of people in our care.
I must say that in our hospitals redevelopment program the option for consultation was made freely available to political parties opposite. I heard Mr Collaery whingeing about the process of consultation at significant cost to the people of Canberra. Comprehensive briefing was provided in this building, but Mr Collaery could not even be bothered to attend.
I know, Mr Speaker, no matter how emotional one gets about this, it does not alter the numbers, but clearly I would have to question the health plan put forward by the Liberal coalition, which proposes to proceed with redeveloping the hospitals while simultaneously reviewing the same redevelopment. What a jumble! If that method of development were undertaken, the ACT's hospitals would flounder while precious time and money was wasted. It is certain that the future of Royal Canberra Hospital is again in doubt because of the Liberal coalition policies, and I guess, as time goes on, the great division between their respective positions will appear.
Furthermore, the coalition has indicated that it intends to sell the health department's building in Moore Street, which would deprive the people of Canberra of many valuable services that are accessed constantly in the centre of Civic. Of course, the people who most access those services are not the supporters of the Liberal Party; they are the poor of this city.
The Labor Government has selected a redevelopment process for our public hospital system which focuses on an integrated and comprehensive system. (Extension of time granted) The three existing public hospitals will be retained, although in a revised, more effective and efficient form. This system will be a decisive step forward for Canberra's hospitals.
This Government is concerned with the future needs of the community. That is why the new public hospital system is aimed at providing the number of hospital beds that will be required in the year 2000. As well, the redevelopment
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