Page 2788 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 13 September 1994
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Mr Kaine, I am sure, is aware that the Government did undertake a review of health funding, in particular, quite recently. As a result of that, we now have the Andersen report, which is being actively addressed not just by the Department of Health but with the assistance of other relevant agencies as well. That report makes a number of recommendations aimed at delivering not just a better health system and a more responsive one but a more financially accountable one, a health system which can remain within its budget.
On the larger question, Mr Kaine seems to be inquiring as to an inquiry into the health system. I do not believe that that is in any way necessary. I believe that we have adequate expertise currently working to improve our health system. I know, for instance, that everybody within that system is working very hard to make sure that it is a better system. As a Government, as you would know, we have spent a large amount of money upgrading our health facilities to ensure that they meet the needs of our community now and into the future. As for the kind of inquiry that Mr Kaine seems to be hinting at, I would be very interested to see whether the Liberals want to promote one. For this Government's part, we are certainly not.
MR KAINE: I have a supplementary question, Mr Acting Speaker. Chief Minister, it is no more than six weeks ago that you did not think there was a necessity for an inquiry into rates or planning either, until they got hot, and then you thought you had better have one. I think Mr Connolly has anticipated you. I understand that he already has an inquiry going. Do you not know about it? When the heat does come on hot enough for you to convene yet another inquiry into the health delivery services, will it be a cosy in-house inquiry like you have for rates, or will it be a botched independent inquiry like you have for urban infill?
MS FOLLETT: Mr Acting Speaker, that question is entirely theoretical and therefore does not really deserve an answer; but I would like to comment that it is untrue to say that I did not believe that it was necessary to have inquiries into the other matters that Mr Kaine has mentioned. As I have said, I believe that it is appropriate to review what the Government is doing, virtually continuously, and that is what is occurring now.
Mrs Carnell: You told the MBA that you did not think a moratorium was proper or appropriate.
MS FOLLETT: Mr Acting Speaker, by way of interjection, Mrs Carnell mentions a moratorium on planning. That was the Liberals' idea. You, Mr Acting Speaker, put forward that idea.
Mr Humphries: No, it was Michael Moore's idea. He is not a Liberal.
MS FOLLETT: Mr Moore, supported by the Liberals. While we are on the subject, Mr Acting Speaker, there is one issue which I would like to address, and Mr Kaine might like to ask his own colleague Mr De Domenico much the same questions as he has asked of me. On today's notice paper Mr De Domenico is down to move:
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