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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 7 Hansard (20 June) . . Page.. 1955 ..

MRS CARNELL: You would know all about double-counting, Mr Berry - and, second, because of our desire to protect and build up our community service and not have our vital community resources channelled into the acute facilities.

The legislation also establishes the Health and Community Care Services Board, which will consist of up to seven members. They will be the chief executives of Woden Valley Hospital and ACT Community Care; a nominee of the University of Sydney, to reflect the importance that we place on the role of the Canberra Clinical School; and up to four other members. On passage of the legislation, the Government will call for expressions of interest in appointment to the board, with appointments to undergo the usual scrutiny through this house. However, my firm desire is for the board to have a strong management emphasis. These appointments will be on the basis of skills in areas such as business and public sector management and administration, financial management and legal skills.

Mr Berry: It is just blame shifting. Get somebody else to take the blame.

MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Berry, you will have a chance to respond to this at some later date.

Mr Berry: I wanted to do it today, though.

MR SPEAKER: You certainly should not do it by interjection.

MRS CARNELL: The members may also have health and community care experience, although I do not see it as essential for all members to have such experience. I do not propose to appoint representatives of organisations, associations or advocacy groups. Such an arrangement would lead to a board made up of sectional interests, presenting difficulties about who should have representation and who should miss out, and would defeat the purpose of the legislation. Quite frankly, from my experience, I believe that the appointment of a board based on representation would suggest to the people of Canberra that we had simply learnt nothing from our mistakes in the past.

As members are aware, the major issues facing our health and community care services are management issues; and, in particular, I would mention budget management. This, then, will be the focus of the board and should be reflected in the make-up of the board. Members will be aware of various structures which have overlaid health and community care in the past, involving various commissions, authorities and boards. This structure differs from those of the past in that its primary function is to separate and clarify the roles and functions of the central office department from those of the providers of the service.

You will all be aware of the confusion that has occurred about who is responsible for what in health and community care, particularly when there is a budget blow-out. This legislation clearly defines the different roles and responsibilities of central office and of the Health and Community Care Service. In this way, we will improve accountability and transparency at all levels in the health and community care system for the use of public funds. In order for the expenditure of public money to be demonstrated as being both effective and in the community's best interests, this Government has committed itself

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