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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 12 Hansard (21 November) . . Page.. 3968 ..

MRS CARNELL (continuing):

One of the major things we said we needed to achieve over this period was to get that down, but I think a - - -

Mr Berry: What about the suicides of people who cannot get into the psych unit?

MRS CARNELL: Mr Berry cannot handle the fact that he himself said that waiting lists were a significant measure of how a hospital was operating. I agree; they are. So, too, are waiting times. The fact that nobody on our category 1 waiting list has to wait for longer than 30 days - at least at the end of October that was the case - is a huge effort by all of our staff, both at Calvary Hospital and at the Canberra Hospital. I think our doctors and nurses and all our associated staff should be extremely proud of themselves.

MR HIRD: I ask a supplementary question. Mr Berry interjected and I did not hear what the Minister said about a speech recorded in Hansard in 1991. I would also like to take this opportunity, through you, Mr Speaker, to congratulate - - -

MR SPEAKER: Ask your question.

MR HIRD: Instead of ridiculing the Minister, those people opposite should be congratulating her and her staff at the Calvary and Canberra hospitals.

MR SPEAKER: What is your question?

MR HIRD: The supplementary question is: What was the statement in May 1991 about waiting lists that the Minister referred to?

Ms Follett: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Had Mr Hird been listening, he would have heard the Chief Minister give those details. I do not think it is appropriate for a supplementary question to ask any Minister to repeat what they have just said.

MR SPEAKER: A question fully answered cannot be renewed.

MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, I am confident that I have answered that question, and the paper has been tabled.

MR SPEAKER: That is correct.

Ms Follett: Did that go my way? Is that one for me?

MR SPEAKER: Ms Follett, if you behave yourself you can have a question, yes.

Ms Follett: What I want is a point of order, though, Mr Speaker. I think I might have won that one. I know it hurts you to say so.

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