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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 9 Hansard (4 September) . . Page.. 2927 ..

Canberra Hospital - Salaried Medical Officers

MR CORBELL: Mr Speaker, my question is to the Chief Minister in her capacity as Minister for Health. Chief Minister, the 1996-97 enterprise agreement between the Government and the salaried medical officers ran until 30 June this year. The Auditor-General has been scathing about the lack of productivity delivered by the agreement in return for more than generous increases for the salaried medical officers. Chief Minister, has a new EBA been finalised? If not, when will it be finalised? What new provisions will be in the new EBA to ensure accountability, some management control and, finally and most importantly, value for money for the people of the ACT?

MRS CARNELL: I am surprised that somebody with the background that Mr Corbell has would suggest that I should pre-empt an EBA that is currently under negotiation. I have been asked, "What will be in the new EBA, Chief Minister? Will you ensure that X, Y, Z happens?". EBAs are the basis of negotiation between a relevant union and the Government involved. It is true that negotiations for the new EBA are in the very early stages, I have to say, of being put in place. Mr Speaker, I would like to restate what I said - - -

Mr Corbell: The early stages? They ran out on 30 June this year.

MR SPEAKER: I warn you, Mr Corbell.

MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, I would like to restate what I said before with regard to one comment that the Auditor-General made with regard to no productivity. The Auditor-General was incorrect, Mr Speaker. The salaried medical officers EBA for 1996-97 agreed to pay increases of 5.6 per cent over the period of the agreement - which, I think, was 17 months, from memory - of which 2 per cent was based upon productivity. That was fairly similar to the outcomes that occurred in other parts of the hospital where EBAs included 7.1 per cent fully funded pay increases and a minimum of 3 per cent funded by productivity improvements. Those agreements went over a three-year period.

Mr Speaker, there is no doubt that issues that have been raised by the Auditor-General will be on the table in negotiations with the salaried medical officers. I can guarantee to Mr Corbell that the Government will do its absolute best to get best value for dollar for the taxpayers in the ACT. I am hopeful that those opposite will help us in our endeavour to get the best possible agreement.

MR CORBELL: I have a supplementary question. Certainly, from the Auditor-General's reports, you have been failing so far, Chief Minister. Will there be requirements in the new EBA for detailed and reliable information to guarantee that salaried medical officers are available to perform their public sector duties which they are being paid for?

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