Page 999 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 28 March 1990
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MR SPEAKER: I heard it as a singling out of a member.
Mrs Grassby: Well, it was not. It was, "The Government has lied", and I heard it.
MR SPEAKER: Well, you would withdraw it if it was towards - - -
MR BERRY: Any imputation that Mr Humphries has lied - I know he is sensitive about that - is withdrawn.
MR SPEAKER: Thank you.
MR BERRY: The fact of the matter - I will clarify the issue - is that the Government has misled this Assembly by attempting to move a motion which congratulates itself for increasing the range of birthing options for women in the ACT. That is a lie because the Government has reduced them.
The second paragraph of the amendment moved by Mr Humphries which attempts to commend the Government for its redevelopment plans, and in particular its decision to establish birthing centre facilities in Canberra, flies in the face of its policy in a number of respects. The Government suggested that it is a consultative body and I would wonder whether they had the approval of those people concerned with the provision of birthing centres when they decided to establish the birthing centre at Woden Valley Hospital.
Also there is not a mention in the Government's so-called redevelopment proposal for antenatal and postnatal care for women. That, indeed, cannot be commended. The redevelopment plans are condemned all round and that, of course, will be a matter for later debate in this Assembly when an MPI will be raised by the Opposition this afternoon. It will be made clear in the course of that debate that the Government has failed the people of Canberra again.
I return to reiterate the lie that has been put to this Assembly about the increased range of birthing options for women in the ACT. Nothing can be drawn from the redevelopment proposal that would infer that there will be an increased range of birthing options. In the debate so far Mr Humphries has made it clear that there will be a handover of obstetric beds to the private sector in accordance with the wishes of the AMA.
It is a matter of fact that this is what the Government is on about. Mr Duby and Ms Maher should understand that that will mean a reduction of services in the long run - the long run, of course, is something that they may not be concerned about because it is quite likely they will not have to put up with it. Mr Stefaniak knows that it will mean an improvement for the private sector because there will be profits made out of the provision of services in
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