Page 847 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 13 March 1991
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Mrs Grassby: So does the Canberra Times.
MR HUMPHRIES: The Canberra Times does it because Mr Berry and others feed it false information along those lines. There is no blow-out in the hospital budget. There is, at this stage, a projected overrun of $4.6m, or possibly more, depending on the outcome of the inquiry which is presently under way. That is the fact. If Mr Berry wants to take account of that fact he can; if he does not, it really does not bother me.
Mr Speaker, I cannot offer any assurances about waiting lists, any more than Mr Berry could while he was in government. It is simply not possible. Mr Berry thinks - and promises, I note, to the citizens of the ACT - that he will wave a magic wand on his return to government and get rid of long waiting lists. I do not think I will have the opportunity to watch him do that, because I do not think he will return to government in the near future; but I do think he is making a most irresponsible promise.
The problems relating to the shortage of staff in our hospital system are a matter of grave concern to the Government. We have done all that we can to promote an environment in which we can attract top quality people to the ACT, particularly nurses. I would be happy to explain in detail once more for Mr Berry, if he really wants to know what we are doing about nurse recruitment; but, unfortunately, that will not solve all the problems overnight. I suggest that, before alarming people further about whether they can get hospital beds in this Territory, he ought to be very carefully considering what the facts actually are.
Education Plan
MS MAHER: Mr Speaker, my question is also to Mr Humphries, in his portfolio of education. Education Plan for ACT Public Schools 1991-93 has recently been launched. Can the Minister inform the Assembly how significant the plan is, and what impact it will have on public education in the ACT?
MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I thank Ms Maher for that question. It is an important one, given that the education plan has recently been launched, as she indicated. The plan is the culmination of a process begun two years ago. The process involved extensive consultation and participation by key groups interested in public education in the ACT. It is presented on two levels, Mr Speaker - as a three-year rolling plan, and as the 1990-91 action plan. Within the plan, the mission, core values and principles, the strategic approach and the goals of ACT public schooling are clearly articulated.
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