Page 411 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 13 May 1992
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How do we actually measure the improvement in the system that Mr Berry claims is there? Let us adopt some of the criteria Mr Berry himself suggested when he was in opposition, the sorts of things that he said showed that our system was doing badly under the Alliance Government. Let us take, first of all, bed numbers. It was an important issue during Labor's period in opposition. In fact, it was a vitally important issue. Virtually every day the Assembly was sitting, Mr Berry had something to say about bed numbers. He was constantly asking me what the state of bed numbers was in the ACT and how many beds we had cut out of the public hospital system.
Mr Berry: Madam Speaker, I raise a point of order, and I raise it to demonstrate the lack of planning. I do not mind the sort of lightweight comments that are being made, but I want to demonstrate the lack of planning that goes into the development of a strategy by the Liberals. I refer to Mr Humphries's comments in relation to bed numbers, Madam Speaker, and to page 64 of the notice paper. A motion by Mrs Carnell refers in paragraph (3) to the decision by the Government to wind back the number of public hospital beds. Mr Humphries's comments clearly anticipate debate on a matter which is on the notice paper and are therefore out of order. If you are going to plan strategies in this place, get them right.
Mr Connolly: Or get a consultant.
Mr Berry: Get a consultant. ACIL might be able to help you out. You obviously cannot do it by yourself. This is out of order, in my book.
MR HUMPHRIES: Madam Speaker, we cannot talk about ACT health without talking about fundamental issues such as bed numbers, hospital waiting lists and so on.
MADAM SPEAKER: I was watching what Mrs Carnell said. Mr Berry's statement on World Health Day did cover almost every other aspect of health, but it did not talk about bed numbers. The issue of bed numbers is on the notice paper for debate later, and I am afraid that you are anticipating events that are to come later, Mr Humphries. Perhaps you could talk about all the other matters.
MR HUMPHRIES: I will, Madam Speaker, respecting your ruling. Let us look at another issue that Mr Berry has been shrill about in the last few years when in opposition - waiting lists. That was a constant preoccupation of Mr Berry's - - -
Mr Berry: We should have a look at paragraph (2), on that score.
MADAM SPEAKER: I am afraid that paragraph (2) of Mrs Carnell's motion does refer to waiting lists, Mr Humphries.
MR HUMPHRIES: Madam Speaker, could I suggest that a ruling of this kind is extremely dangerous in that it would permit any matter the Government found contentious to be removed from discussion in the Assembly by putting it on the notice paper. That is impossibly restrictive.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Humphries, I respect your opinion, but in this case the matter is here on the notice paper.
MR HUMPHRIES: Could I ask you, Madam Speaker, to take advice on the matter from the Clerk. I think this is an extremely unfortunate ruling to have to - - -
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