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MRS CARNELL (Chief Minister and Minister for Health and Community Care) (12.24): Mr Speaker, I would like to answer some of the questions raised. I seek leave to speak again.

Leave granted.

Ms Follett: Explain how you are going to construct something by looking at it. That would be a good start.

Mr De Domenico: You did nothing in four years, for heaven’s sake.

MR SPEAKER: Order! Allow the Chief Minister to answer the questions that have been raised.

MRS CARNELL: With regard to the questions that have been raised by Mr Moore and Ms Tucker, to start with, as to redundancy requirements, the triple R award will be adhered to. We have already given staff the undertaking that they will have a number of different opportunities.

Mr Berry: That is the law.

Ms Follett: It is the law. You are terribly generous.

MR SPEAKER: Silence!

MRS CARNELL: This is full-time staff, the long-term casual staff and, of course, any permanent part-time staff that we may have. They will be able to access the triple R award. They will also be able to access retraining in other parts of Health. There are a number of areas in ACT Health at the moment that could very well do with any staff that do not choose to reapply for jobs under the new management. So those people will certainly be looked after.

Interestingly, with regard to the issue of the cost of a nursing home bed, irrespective of whether the ACT Government, the non-profit sector or the for-profit sector operates Jindalee in the future, the Commonwealth Government will provide exactly the same level of funding for nursing home-style services. They will expect the same patient outcome standards to be met. They will pay benefits only on behalf of people assessed to be eligible for nursing homes. Most importantly, one of the rules for Commonwealth funding of nursing homes is that no resident can be charged more than 87.5 per cent of the pension plus rent allowance. What people can pay is actually set in stone. So there is not a capacity for whoever, whether or not it be the for-profit sector, to up the fees beyond 87.5 per cent of the pension and rent allowance.

Mr Berry: Rule out the profit sector now. Say, “I will not give it to the profit sector”.

MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Moore and Ms Tucker asked specific questions which the Chief Minister is trying to answer. As a courtesy, I think you should allow her to do so. Proceed, Chief Minister.

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