QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Health Consultancy

MS FOLLETT: Mr Speaker, I direct a question to Mrs Carnell in her capacity as Minister for Health. I refer Mrs Carnell to the Booz Allen and Hamilton consultancy report, which was described by a prominent Canberra doctor as superficial and misleading. Will the Minister table the terms of reference to Booz Allen and Hamilton, because they do not appear anywhere in the report?

MRS CARNELL: Booz Allen and Hamilton were asked by ACT Health and by me to come on board to have a look at ACT Health, particularly the hospital, but also the administration part of ACT Health, to benchmark the services that we are providing in the ACT against 12 other similar - - -

Mr Berry: Will you table the terms of reference? Table the terms of reference.

MRS CARNELL: I am just telling you what they did, because that is the issue here. They were asked to benchmark the services that were being provided at Woden Valley Hospital and some other places in ACT Health against 12 other similar teaching hospitals in Australia. That is all they have done.

Mr Berry: Table the terms of reference.

MRS CARNELL: That is what they have done. To get to that stage, as you would see from the report, they spoke to over 150 people; they had meetings with various members of staff; they spoke to all of the people at the grassroots to determine exactly what it is that we are doing in ACT Health.

Mr Berry: Is the answer yes or no?

MRS CARNELL: I have just told you what they have done. I thought it would be better if I told you what they have done.

Mr Berry: Is it yes or no? Will you table the terms of reference or not?

MR SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the Opposition has asked a question. I think, Mr Berry, that your leader deserves an answer, and that can be given only if you stop interrupting.

MRS CARNELL: If Ms Follett would like me to give her a breakdown of the briefing that I gave the consultants in terms of what we wanted them to do, I am very happy to do that.

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