Page 847 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 27 March 1990
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Tuesday, 27 March 1990
_______________________
MR SPEAKER (Mr Prowse) took the chair at 2.30 pm and read the prayer.
QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Ministerial Statements
MS FOLLETT: My question is to Mr Kaine. Is it true that there has been a minute circulated to all senior officers within the ACT public service asking for ideas for ministerial statements? Is this call for ministerial statements an attempt by the Government to cover up its inability to introduce any substantial business into the Assembly?
MR KAINE: Mr Speaker, I know of no such minute as described by the Leader of the Opposition.
Royal Canberra Hospital - Closure
MR MOORE: My question is to Mr Humphries, the Minister for Health, Education and the Arts. Since the Minister has publicly announced the intended closing of Royal Canberra Hospital in the immediate future, can he tell the Assembly if he intends ensuring that all staff from the Royal Canberra will be retained and relocated to appropriate positions at Woden Valley Hospital and whether the working conditions that are pertinent to those positions will also be retained?
MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I can indicate to the member that a comprehensive statement on what the Government will be doing with respect to the hospitals will occur this afternoon when I make a ministerial statement on this subject. I have not, in fact, announced the closure of Royal Canberra. I have discussed, in the media, issues that would arise from that closure as one of the options the Government has considered. However, it would be wrong of me to canvass the issues now and effectively to make the announcement before that time. I am not required under standing orders to announce government policy in advance of an announcement; that will come after question time. I can assure you that all the members' questions will be answered at that time.
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