Page 935 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 19 April 1994
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MRS CARNELL (Leader of the Opposition) (4.00): I add my total support to the clinical school proposal. It is something that, as the Minister knows, the Opposition has supported right from its inception; in fact, as far back as the Board of Health days I was interested - - -
Mr Berry: Then why did you not do it when you had government?
MRS CARNELL: Because it was not on the agenda then.
Mr Berry: Yes, it was.
MRS CARNELL: It was being put there by the Board of Health, of which I was part. Mr Berry, if I were you I would not say anything, because we all know what your view was at that stage.
Mr Berry: That we did not need the Board of Health, did you say?
MRS CARNELL: That you did not need the clinical school as well. Finally, you saw the light, and I was very pleased about that.
I was very pleased today to hear the new Minister speak about the need to attract private sector endowments. I would like to use this opportunity to encourage the Minister to spend a little more time and to lend his support to the establishment of a private sector foundation associated with the clinical school - something that a number of people have been trying to get off the ground for a very long time now but which lacked the support, or seemed to lack the support, of the previous Minister. A private sector foundation is very important and is very much a part of other clinical schools around Australia. If we are to attract private sector endowments, to quote the Minister's speech, we are going to have to show that every member of this Assembly is totally behind the clinical school and that the Minister, particularly, is willing to get out there and market this proposal to the various entities that are likely to want to give us some money. This is the last clinical school that is likely to be established in Australia, at least in the foreseeable future, and I think we have a great capacity to attract private sector operations, drug companies and companies that provide technology to hospitals, if we are willing to give them the kudos for making substantial donations - something that the ACT, I am sure, would find very beneficial.
There have been, over the last couple of years, a number of meetings of interested parties to set up this private sector foundation. I am sure the Minister will find that there are a number of very influential people in this city who are very willing to be part of that if the Minister comes in and lends his support. I think that is the one thing - - -
Mr Berry: It has been done already, Kate.
MRS CARNELL: I know that it has, because I was at the meetings.
Mr Berry: Why did you not admit it instead - - -
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