Page 171 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 23 February 1994
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MR KAINE (12.28): Madam Speaker, the shallowness of the Government's argument opposing this Bill is absolutely breathtaking. It demonstrates that they have no real reason, except a purely ideological one, for refusing to let this Bill go through. I would like to deal with just two points where their argument is so fallacious as to be almost stupid. The first is the straight proposition that a person should not be allowed to buy a house after five years. The simple fact is that they have only to sit there for another three and they can buy it now. All they are doing is exercising their prerogative three years earlier than when they are currently allowed to do so. If somebody moves into a government house and in five years their financial circumstances change such that they are able to buy it, why would the Government refuse to allow them to do so? On what basis would the Government refuse when they know that this person just has to sit there for another three years and the Minister most likely would approve? In a sense there is an absurdity in the Government's argument on this matter. The Minister says, "They are going to buy a house for $300,000 in Reid and we will not be able to buy another one to replace it".
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Kaine, it is 12.30 pm, so the debate is interrupted in accordance with standing order 77 as amended by temporary order.
Sitting suspended from 12.30 to 2.30 pm
QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Visiting Medical Officers Dispute
MRS CARNELL: Madam Speaker, my question without notice is directed to the Minister for Health. During the recent VMOs dispute a number of doctors provided emergency and often life-saving services to Canberra patients. Will the Minister confirm that he does not intend to pay these VMOs now or in the future for services they rendered during this period - services, may I stipulate, that were provided at the request of the hospital management?
MR BERRY: Madam Speaker, I thank Mrs Carnell for the opportunity to again draw attention - - -
Mrs Carnell: To attack VMOs again.
MR BERRY: You should not ask these questions if they make you babble when I respond. Do not ask them if the answers trouble you. The issue of payment to VMOs who manned, or personned, or staffed the emergency rosters is one that is under consideration. I am, of course, carefully considering this matter because we have to - - -
Mr Kaine: For how long are you going to carefully consider it?
MR BERRY: For as long as it takes. There was not much urgency amongst the VMOs to provide a full range of services to the community of the ACT, so I reserve the right to take as long as it takes to look at these matters and, of course, to get it right. A range of doctors held the community to ransom. There is no question about that.
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