Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1995 Week 9 Hansard (23 November) . . Page.. 2415 ..

Mr Connolly: They never asked for it.

MR OSBORNE: I will give you that. They never asked for it. In relation to law and order, education and health, the front-line troops, so to speak, in those three areas were the police, the teachers and the nurses. I am raising this point because I think Ms Follett earlier questioned why it was that I chose nurses when there are so many other things to choose. Was it you, Rosemary?

Mr Berry: What about kitchen staff?

MR OSBORNE: It might have been you, Wayne, was it?

Mr Berry: Yes.

MR OSBORNE: It was Wayne.

Mr Berry: What about kitchen staff? What about carpenters? What about fitters?

MR SPEAKER: What about staying relevant?

MR OSBORNE: My answer to that, Mr Speaker, is that I could move for 100 amendments to the budget, but I thought it was important for me - - -

Mr Moore: You could have, before our earlier motion.

MR OSBORNE: I cannot move any now.

Mr Berry: You can vote against the budget.

MR OSBORNE: Yes, let us go to an election. You would love that. I told you I would do a deal.

Mr Berry: Go to an election. That will be fine.

MR SPEAKER: Order! Let us have relevance. We are discussing Health and Community Care, Division 50.

MR OSBORNE: Mr Speaker, I chose the nurses because, as I have stated before, I was in the police. I am aware of what it is like to be in a job where you are not appreciated. As I spoke of earlier, it is nearly a week since Mr I'Anson was shot and very little thought has been given to the police. I felt there was a need to stand up for nurses. I agree that there are some problems with rosters and there are too many nurses spending too much time on paperwork. However, being in the police and being aware of how little time you have to carry out your paperwork, I still need some convincing over that issue. I think the correct response in relation to nurses is to allow them to nurse and to look after patients.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .