Page 1412 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 11 August 1992
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MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, no, I cannot give Mr Humphries the assurance that he seeks. It is quite clear to me that people who make residential and domestic arrangements under a family company are very often seeking to minimise their tax obligations. I do not see any reason why the rest of the community should have to bear the burden of those people continuing to have an exemption from land tax when other taxpayers, in perhaps identical circumstances but for the family company arrangement, are liable. I think that is a quite anomalous situation that you are putting forward.
Podiatry Services
MS SZUTY: Madam Speaker, my question without notice is to the Minister for Health, Mr Berry. Both the Weston Creek Community Council and the ACT Council on the Ageing have expressed their concern about the withdrawal of podiatry services from the building occupied by the Independent Living Centre, a private medical practitioner and a private dentist, formerly known as the Weston Creek Community Health Centre. On what grounds have podiatry services to Weston Creek residents been withdrawn from Weston Creek without consultation, and will the Minister reinstate these services for the benefit of Weston Creek residents, including many elderly residents?
Mr Humphries: Hear, hear! A good question.
MR BERRY: I thank Ms Szuty for the question. I heard Mr Humphries interject, "Hear, hear". It was Mr Humphries, of course, who closed down the Weston Creek centre and put in, after significant pressure from the Weston Creek community, a small area of service in relation to podiatry. Why would Mr Humphries have the gall even to make a sound in relation to this matter when he has done so much damage to the provision of health services right across the Territory, not only in Weston Creek? I have seen those reports and they are reports that I take very seriously. Others have raised with me concerns about the provision of those services in Weston Creek. I have since asked the department to review the matter and to consult in relation to the issue in order that we can come to a decision to continue the provision of better services for the whole of the Canberra community. The services were withdrawn, and I have seen the reports and we are doing something about it.
Mr Humphries: You attacked me for cutting that service in the first place and now you have done it yourself. Are you not ashamed of your position?
MR BERRY: Quite contrary to what Mr Humphries did. Mr Humphries interjects, but he is the person who vandalised the health system in the ACT.
Mr Humphries: And you are carrying on the proud tradition, by the look of it.
MR BERRY: He is proud of the tradition. The service has been provided from the Phillip Health Centre, but we are reviewing the - - -
Mr Humphries: I tried that excuse; it did not wash with you.
MR BERRY: It does not wash with me now. I am reviewing the matter and we will be consulting with people with a view to providing the best service possible.
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