Page 3814 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 16 October 1991
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Mr $17m Blow-out. And the failed former Treasurer consistently in this place said that he could not answer any questions about the finances of the health department because it was somebody else's problem. Well, it certainly was a problem, and his performance demonstrated that.
They complain that Mr Berry will not give them answers. The problem is that you people will not listen to his answers. Mr Berry has repeatedly explained the position about bed numbers, but you are just obsessive. Would it make you happy if we just went out to the junk stores around Canberra and bought up every second-hand bed? Then we would have more beds. We could perhaps even get the bed that Mr Collaery saw flying through the air at Manuka the other day. We could get that bed in and introduce it to the system; then you will be happy.
Mr Berry has explained repeatedly the appropriate way of measuring the delivery of sound health care. You were screaming yesterday for a set of figures on whether the health budget is running to estimate. You were baying for blood. You wanted the figures. Mr Berry produced them and, of course, they are good news for the Government, because they show that when you have a Minister who is controlling a portfolio - - -
MR SPEAKER: Order! Order, Mr Connolly, please! You are away from the point being debated. We are looking to time. I do ask you to get to the point.
MR CONNOLLY: The reason that we are debating the suspension of standing orders is that the Liberal Opposition has refused to allow us to put these issues in the debate. It has refused to allow us to move amendments, it has moved the gag and now it wants to extend time to take a vote on it. The performance of this ragtag Opposition, this rapidly dwindling Liberal Party, demonstrates that it is not fair dinkum about health. Only a few weeks ago we had a resolution that called for an inquiry into liquor licensing in the ACT, and we said then that if the Assembly wants an inquiry - - -
Mr Kaine: Mr Speaker, let us have some relevance in the debate.
MR SPEAKER: Order! Yes, that is hardly relevant.
MR CONNOLLY: Mr Speaker, this is utterly relevant, because it goes to the aspect of an inquiry.
MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Connolly, I would ask you to resume your seat.
MR CONNOLLY: Why? My time has not expired. I have 14 seconds. Look, I have 11 seconds; 10, nine, eight, seven - - -
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