Page 2879 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 15 August 1990
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The program and timetable for the transfer of Royal Canberra Hospital to the Woden site is now close to finalisation, following extensive consultation with the medical profession and other key players. This program will ensure that an adequate level of high quality service is maintained throughout the period of consolidation which will take us through until around the end of next year. A high level of consultation has been set up to manage staffing issues encountered with the program and I am very grateful for the willing participation of those involved in that process, including the involvement of trade unions. Negotiations are nearly complete for Calvary Hospital to have Public Service Act employment introduced into it. I am confident that we will achieve a single stream of Public Service Act employment in all public hospitals in the Territory as a result of these negotiations.
I am, as I have indicated, delighted with the progress so far. I think that people are starting to realise that this is a huge and exciting project for Canberra and I am confident that in the very near future we will see a certain infectiousness with that enthusiasm spreading throughout the health system in the ACT.
School Closures
MR WOOD: I direct a question to the Chief Minister, Mr Kaine. As I do so, I am aware of some turmoil earlier today and I ask the question with some sensitivity. Is the Chief Minister concerned that a member of his Government who moved the motion for school closures has today crossed the floor to vote with the Opposition against those closures? Would the Chief Minister explain what Dr Kinloch's position in the Government is now? Does he remain an Executive Deputy?
MR KAINE: I think that Mr Wood is well aware of the kind of pressure that has been applied to Dr Kinloch over a very long period of time - a pressure which I believe has been quite unnecessary. There seems to be some belief that Dr Kinloch is the weak link in the chain and that he can be chipped away from the Government. I think that the intense pressure that has been on Dr Kinloch over the last few days is quite appalling.
This morning, in the light of his own convictions and the enormous pressure that has been put on him, Dr Kinloch voted according to his conscience. He voted inconsistently with the other members of this Government. This is a matter for me to take up with Dr Kinloch, which I will do privately. If he and I cannot resolve the issue, I will take it up in the joint party room. I think it is unreasonable on the part of the Opposition to attempt to make some political gain or some cheap political point out of - - -
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