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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 9 Hansard (3 September) . . Page.. 2818 ..

MRS CARNELL (continuing):

The Government is interested in pursuing reforms that will create a more city council style of government; but that cannot happen if the Leader of the Opposition is allowed to simply thumb his nose at the notion of independence and, for that matter, any level of unbiased behaviour by an Assembly committee inquiry. Mr Speaker, I would also like to place on record the Government's view that clearly the inquiry chaired by Mr Berry will have no credibility whatsoever if it simply regurgitates Mr Berry's own obviously very biased ideas about private health care, ideas that he has spoken about the whole way through this committee inquiry.

For the record, Mr Speaker, the construction of the new private hospital is under way. Contracts have been signed and the project is progressing. As well as investing $20m in this important new health facility in Canberra, the hospital operators have paid the Canberra Hospital half a million dollars up front, and a further $2.1m will follow. As well as that, the private hospital will pay an annual indexed grant of $100,000 for research and training at our public hospital, the Canberra Hospital.

MR HIRD: I have a supplementary question. Chief Minister, you were saying that, with all the money that is being invested in this venture, the building industry is creating jobs, et cetera, and there are ongoing benefits to the community. When will this project be completed and when will the hospital be open?

MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, the project is under way. There are 130 jobs being created in the construction phase and some 200 jobs when the project is open. The project is due to open in the second half of next year.

MR WOOD: Mr Speaker, my question is to Mr Humphries and relates to police matters. Minister, taking up a point you raised about contracts being enforceable, how is it, then, that you have not enforced the provisions of the current contract for police services? Indeed, what mechanisms exist that enable you to verify that the number of police provided to the ACT matches what you pay for? For example, do you get daily or weekly or monthly reports on staffing? Do you get copies of police rosters? Have you ever been advised of shortfalls?

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, it is a slightly strange question, I have to say. Why have I not - - -

Mr Corbell: You are the Minister.

MR HUMPHRIES: If you listen quietly you might hear the answer, Mr Corbell. Why have I not enforced the contract before? The same question could apply to you, Mr Wood. You were in government in 1994 when we reached rock bottom. We reached the nadir of this - - -

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