Page 1759 - Week 06 - Thursday, 19 May 1994
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MR CONNOLLY: Madam Speaker, the Canberra community has just received the benefit of the biggest tranche of the $170m we are spending on redevelopment at the hospital. With the opening of the diagnostic and treatment block and the new entry and reception foyer, we have really turned the hospital around as it presents to the public. People now come through a new entrance point into the foyer, which is decorated attractively with artworks, most of which I understand were sourced to artists in the local region. Mr Berry, of course, had carriage of the portfolio at the time, but my clear recollection was that they were sourced to artists in the local region.
Those major capital works and those artworks are a significant community asset. The decision was taken to make the hospital present attractively. I have said, and I would not resile from the fact, that we should ensure that the maximum amount of every health dollar is spent on sick people in beds. On the other hand, I do not want the hospital to have the paint peeling from the walls. I do not expect hospital administrative staff to be wandering around in threadbare uniforms, sackcloth and ashes, perhaps beating themselves. The art is very significant art. I note that you think it is very nice. In order to present that to the community and let the community see the asset that they have, the brochure was printed in colour. A colour photograph of a tip, attractive and pleasant as ACT Urban Services tips are, does not add much to the sum of human knowledge, whereas black-and-white photographs of coloured art leave a little to the imagination.
Mr Humphries: Why have it at all?
MR CONNOLLY: Basically, in order to give to the community some feedback on the significant community asset that they have. Again, this shows the level of intellectual mastery of public health issues that this Opposition has. Madam Speaker, I think there is little point in saying any more.
MR DE DOMENICO: I ask a supplementary question, Madam Speaker. Will the Minister tell the Assembly exactly how much this brochure cost and how many were produced?
MR CONNOLLY: Madam Speaker, I will indeed do that. I will also get a response from the artists involved as to how they feel about having their art promoted in this way - I am sure that they are very pleased about it - and I will advise the Assembly precisely how much we paid each of the Canberra artists for their significant works.
Mr De Domenico: Just the brochure.
MR CONNOLLY: I like to keep you fully informed, if no wiser, Mr De Domenico.
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