Page 4548 - Week 15 - Wednesday, 20 November 1991
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Adolescent Ward
MS MAHER: My question is also to the Minister for Health. Can the Minister inform the Assembly whether the much needed adolescent ward, which is being negotiated within the hospital redevelopment, will go ahead; and, if not, why not?
MR BERRY: I recall some advice in relation to the matter. I will have to look at the detail - I do not have it in front of me now - and inform you later on.
Rail Service
MR DUBY: My question is directed to Mr Connolly in his capacity as Minister for transport. I refer to a question to Mr Connolly that I asked on 23 October concerning a continuing rumour that daily rail services to Canberra would cease in February of next year, prior to the introduction of the proposed Canberra Explorer services. On that day he said that he was "assured by the New South Wales Ministry of Transport that the ACT Government would be advised before any decision to change the services was made" and that he had not received any advice, which says a lot, I guess, for consultation between the two governments. Has he subsequently received any such advice about the cessation of services, or any assurance that the rail services will remain? In other words, has he made inquiries concerning the matter at all?
MR CONNOLLY: The position really remains similar to what it was when Mr Duby last asked the question, which is that we had received an assurance from New South Wales that they would inform us if they were going to change. I have certainly made clear to the department that I am interested in anything they tell us, and I have not been so advised.
Mr Duby: Surely an inquiry to the New South Wales ministry should be appropriate.
MR CONNOLLY: The position is that they have said that if they are going to change the status quo they will let us know, and they have not done anything along those lines. It is probably always good political point-scoring to run rumours about services closing.
Given that Nick Greiner is running New South Wales and he has a budget deficit that exceeds the total budget of the ACT, I guess anything is possible. He seems to be slashing and burning with a vigour only to be exceeded by John Hewson. But at the moment, as I am advised, we have not been so notified. If, in fact, any notification has been received by the department and not passed on to me, I would be surprised; but I will make vigorous inquiries.
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