Page 2110 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 9 September 1992
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MR BERRY: This is a good question. This is more of the old obsessive scare campaigns by the Liberals. Beat something up, make some accusations - "240 beds within the hospital system are going to close tomorrow. Is the hospital going to fall down tomorrow and what is the Minister going to do about it? If not, what has the Minister done to make it stand up?". This is just as ridiculous as all of the other scare campaigns that the Liberals try to run in this place. It is another one of the scare campaigns to try to beat up a bit of emotionalism, the same as the one you went on about this morning during the debate on private members business.
I will have a look at the issue and ask the people at the psych ward whether Mrs Carnell is fair dinkum about her approach to health or whether she is just fooling around again; and we will come back with an answer, if indeed one is required.
Canberra Times - Police Investigation
MRS GRASSBY: My question is to the Chief Minister. Did the Government initiate a raid on the Canberra Times over a leak of the health budget?
MS FOLLETT: I thank Mrs Grassby for the question, because it allows me to put some of the facts of this matter on the record. Of course, the facts are far less sensational than members opposite would wish them to be. I am sure that that is a source of great disappointment to them. Nevertheless, Madam Speaker, I advise members that it was in fact the Head of Administration, in consultation with the Secretary of the Department of Health, who asked the Australian Federal Police to investigate an alleged leak of information to the Canberra Times.
Madam Speaker, as I am sure members opposite know, the methods that the Australian Federal Police use in this investigation are a matter for them. We do not interfere in police operational matters; and we have not on this occasion, either. Nor are the police subject to government direction on operational matters. I think that the constant assertions to the contrary by members opposite are most unfortunate indeed. Madam Speaker, I would like to go - - -
Mr Humphries: Madam Speaker, I raise a point of order. No member of the Opposition has said anything of the kind. The Chief Minister is clearly misrepresenting the situation.
MADAM SPEAKER: Ms Follett is generalising; she is not making a specific accusation. I do not believe that there is any improper imputation.
Mr Kaine: On a point of order, Madam Speaker: The Chief Minister is not entitled to so generalise. She is either making an accusation that the Opposition - - -
Mr Berry: Which standing order?
Mr Wood: What is the point of order?
Mr Lamont: What is the point of order? Come on, what is the point of order, what number?
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