Page 154 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 17 February 1993
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Canberra residents about our health system. She said, "You have gone in too early. You have committed yourself too early. You should do this. You should do that". She just cannot keep her nose out of these affairs and let responsible government get on with the job. We have proven to the people of the ACT that we have been able to secure a good agreement for the Territory, a responsible agreement and an agreement which will - - -
Mrs Carnell: Make sure that you do not have any more blow-outs?
MR BERRY: It will ensure that we are able to continue with a better hospital system in the ACT than would have been the case otherwise. I went to see Mr Kaine this morning, and we were discussing order in the house. I have to say that one of the things that I pointed out to him was that they were the rowdiest lot in this chamber. They cannot keep their mouths shut. No wonder they get itchy and twitchy about Medicare arrangements in the ACT.
Mr Humphries: Look who is talking.
MR BERRY: Mr Humphries is one of the better examples of the noise in this place. If they sit and listen while I answer the question they will not then be able to complain about me taking too long to answer it.
Mr De Domenico: You will need psychological help, Gary, after that tirade.
Ms Follett: Madam Speaker, I raise a point of order. Mr De Domenico made an audible interjection which was quite unparliamentary and which must be withdrawn.
Mr De Domenico: Madam Speaker, on that point of order: I said to Mr Humphries, "Gary, you will need psychological help after that tirade from Mr Berry". I do not think that is unparliamentary and I will not withdraw it.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr De Domenico, may I simply point out to you again, as I have pointed out in many cases, that the requirements of standing order 39 are that members keep quiet whilst another member is speaking. I will not ask you to withdraw that statement, because it was not aimed at Mr Berry; but I will ask you to remember the provisions of standing order 39.
MR BERRY: Madam Speaker, one of the initiatives that we were able to take advantage of early as a result of our commitment to the Medicare agreement is the hospital access program. We got access to it earlier because we gave our commitment early - there is no question about that - and we were able to get on with the job of getting that money into the system. My officers have been working closely with the Commonwealth with a view to securing that money and getting the waiting list down early. This is a great initiative by the Commonwealth - something that will not be repeated under a Hewson administration, because the Liberals have promised to cut back public hospital administration in the Territory by at least $17m. Seventeen million dollars will be cut out of public hospitals in the ACT at a time when we have just gained around $21m.
That would make the Liberals twitchy. If I were in their position, I would be embarrassed about that. I would not be able to hold my head up as I walked down the streets of Canberra if I supported the sorts of things Hewson is going to do to our public hospital system. You talk about long waiting lists. You just have a look at what might happen if a Hewson government is elected.
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