Page 3682 - Week 12 - Thursday, 13 October 1994
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It is a matter of record that, just as we have tried to increase the efficiency of every aspect of our hospital and health system, we have also tried to increase the usefulness of the statistics that we keep. The constant carping about bed numbers does demonstrate that opposite there is a lack of understanding about the reality of a modern health system. It does raise serious concerns about Mrs Carnell's capacity as the alternative Minister for Health. (Extension of time granted) What Mrs Carnell and Mr Humphries have done is descend into what I believe is a cowardly attack on the public servants who are advising the Minister. There is no doubt about that. In fact, the Minister has made available all the information that has been provided to him by his department. He is clearly not misrepresenting that information one iota.
Madam Speaker, I believe that there are better ways of debating this issue, if there is a genuine desire to have the debate, than a censure motion, as I have indicated. I have said that there is a capacity to raise the issue by way of a matter of public importance; and we have the Estimates Committee process coming up. The other option, of course, is for the Liberals to seek a full briefing, which I am absolutely certain would be forthcoming. Any member of this Assembly could seek a full briefing on the situation with regard to bed numbers, how they are counted, why they are counted, where they are, and all the rest of it. I have no doubt, Madam Speaker, that, if it were requested seriously by a member of this Assembly, the Minister would actually agree to physically walking around the health system and counting the beds. That is something that I might find interesting as well. If anybody does want to do that, you might like to check off the tally with me.
Madam Speaker, this is a half-hearted censure motion. There has been no allegation at all that the Minister has knowingly, recklessly or willingly misled this house. He is accused of misrepresenting to the house the number of available public hospital beds. I argue that the Minister has made available honestly, and to the best of his ability, all the information that has been made available to him. I repeat that I have absolute confidence in Mr Connolly as a Minister. He has tackled a very difficult portfolio with a great deal of flair, with commitment and, above all, with a determination actually to improve the health system of the ACT and the services that it delivers to the citizens of this region. I do not see any such willingness on the part of members opposite. All I see is a concerted attempt to tear down this health system, everybody who works in it and everybody who offers any opinion upon it. Madam Speaker, I urge members to vote against this motion, because I do not believe that it is worthy of this Assembly and the seriousness with which censure motions ought to be treated.
MR DE DOMENICO (5.05): Madam Speaker, I am going to be very brief. First of all, I should say that the suggestion by the Chief Minister that this is a frivolous censure motion, to me, is an insult to all members of this Assembly. I can assure the Chief Minister that members of the Opposition do not believe it to be a frivolous motion at all, and I will tell you why, Madam Speaker. We all agree that the community out there is demanding of people, who speak to the newspapers and talk to the community, the best possible health service for the money that the community is spending on that health service. There is no doubt about that.
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