Page 1232 - Week 04 - Thursday, 21 March 1991
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The fact is that a difficult situation emerged for me, as Minister, over the Independent Living Centre. It had a moral claim to the premises at Weston; and, with Mr Humphries, I acceded to that request. Those premises at Weston were agreed on by a committee on which the Professional Officers Association had representation, and I acceded to that committee's recommendation, as did Mr Humphries. I do not know what Ms Follett is getting at. I saw the director in here yesterday or earlier today. I said "Hello" to her; I did not get a response. I wish she had come and spoken to me. She might then know that I am in fact working in their interest, as members well know.
Weston Creek Community Service
MR BERRY (6.05): Mr Collaery's self-serving response has prompted me to spring to my feet in defence of the Weston Creek Health Centre and the Weston Creek Community Service which, in fact, has been pillaged by this Government - and Mr Collaery has played a prime role in the pillaging of those important health and welfare facilities. We know, for example, that there was a very healthy health centre operating before this Government took office. I see that the Minister is taking off now that the blowtorch is on the belly.
Mr Collaery: Mr Deputy Speaker, I have a community group that has been waiting for more than half an hour in my office.
MR BERRY: Thank you for the interjection. Mr Collaery might be reminded to have a look around the house and see who has the numbers; he might be called back shortly.
The fact of the matter is that the health centre has been pillaged and the very important health facilities and health services have been withdrawn, with the assistance of Mr Collaery and the Residents Rally party. For example, the aged in Weston Creek, whom one would have in the past expected the Residents Rally to have supported, have been left without a physiotherapy service, they have been left without a podiatry service and they have been forced to travel to distant points to receive services which they would otherwise - but for this Government taking office - have had in their suburb or region.
Those have been taken away, but they have been taken away for the wrong reasons. They have been taken away because of the bungle on school closures - a bungle which, of course, was perpetrated with the assistance of the Residents Rally party and which could not have happened without the Residents Rally party. I am pleased to say that the director of the Weston Creek Community Service, who I think at one point in time had some sympathies with that party because of some of the promises it made, is
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