Page 526 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 19 May 1992
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MR KAINE: I ask a supplementary question, Madam Speaker. Since the Minister is obviously well aware of the availability of this report, and since he has taken no action whatsoever to get a copy, even though he has seen the advertisement, is his position that this has no relevance to the ACT?
MR BERRY: When we get a copy of the report and examine it, we will determine whether it is of relevance or not. But, if the Liberals want us to parrot what happened in New South Wales, do not hold your breath, because we will not parrot what the New South Wales Government has done. So, there you have it. We will have a look at the report, and if there is anything relevant we will do what governments do with relevant information.
Mr Kaine: Nothing about anything. We understand that.
MR BERRY: No, you are thinking about the Liberals. We will do what is appropriate, and it will be in keeping with Labor's policy on industrial relations, which I think is a very excellent one.
Graduate Nurse Programs
MR LAMONT: My question, Madam Speaker, is directed to the Minister for Health. Sir, do you have a response to Mrs Carnell's question about the purported employment of 30 male Vietnamese nurses in preference to ACT nurse graduates?
MR BERRY: Thank you for the question. This is a very important question, Madam Speaker, because it relates to a level of disinformation and misinformation which has been created by the Liberals and, in particular, by their health spokesperson. Of course, the Liberal spokesperson on health has developed the art of scaremongering and I think - - -
Mr De Domenico: On a point of order, Madam Speaker: Can I suggest that Mr Berry withdraw the word "scaremongering" because it is unparliamentary.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Berry will resume answering the question.
MR BERRY: Thank you, Madam Speaker. There might be a few other words that you are sensitive about as I go on. There have been quite a few claims and misinformation over the last few months about matters that have been going on in health, and this has caused some concern in the community. It does not do us any good and does not do the Liberals any good for these sorts of campaigns to be conducted. For example, it was claimed that a cardio-thoracic unit for 300 people in the ACT would cost only $750,000 to run. Wrong, wrong, wrong! A cardio-thoracic unit treating 300 ACT patients would cost about $4m a year. Mrs Carnell said that the ACT methadone program was no good, and, of course, the program has been proven. It is all misinformation.
Mr Kaine: I take a point of order, Madam Speaker. The Government is very touchy about the use of words, and I notice that they were springing to their feet last week every time anybody anywhere else in the Assembly used a word that they took offence at. There is no evidence whatsoever of the Liberal Party embarking on a misinformation campaign. That is not a statement of fact, and I would like the Minister to withdraw it.
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