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

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 11 Hansard (4 November) . . Page.. 3577 ..

MR BERRY (continuing):

She then went on to say:

In relation to other items on the COAG agenda, I advised members of the agreements that had been reached in relation to the reform in health and community services, public housing, and the treaty ratification process. It is good to note that in the area of health and community services more than one meeting has already occurred. We are seeing some movement in the continuity of care area, trying to break down the barriers between critical care and community care.

She talked about the agreements that were reached at COAG. That gets back to the issue that has been raised in Mr Osborne's matter of public importance, which, of course, has attracted the derision of Mrs Carnell because, I suspect, Mr Osborne had the audacity to raise such an issue, knowing full well that there has been insufficient consultation in relation to these matters and insufficient scrutiny.

I will tell you why there has been insufficient scrutiny. Ms Tucker referred to the committee recommendations. Of course, that committee was chaired by Rosemary Follett - so, she had a fair understanding of the issues - and it was driven, as chair of the committee, by Rosemary Follett. That was Rosemary Follett's last involvement in the development of policy in relation to the issue. Ms Tucker said that they had moved the motion to establish the select committee, and that is true; but this committee was driven by the chair of it, Rosemary Follett. One of the committee's recommendations, referred to by Ms Tucker, was:

... that the Government establish a forum to provide ongoing monitoring and advice on the implementation of competition policy. Such a forum should include representatives of community, environmental, consumer, union, business and academic organisations.

This was the response by the Government to recommendation 8 of that report of the committee chaired by Rosemary Follett, set up on the motion moved by the Greens, arising from the Government's approach to competition, in relation to a speech given in the Assembly which drew attention to those issues - again, a speech by Rosemary Follett - all post the signing of agreements with a Labor philosophy behind them instead of a conservative one from those opposite:

The Government does not support this recommendation.

This is the Government that you supported, Ms Tucker - the Government that you put in. This Government, of course, did not support the recommendation. Why should you be surprised that the forum that was set up did not work? Why should you be surprised that it is bogged down?

Ms Tucker: It is working now. So, you can relax, Mr Berry.

MR BERRY: It is working now. It has not worked for months and months. The issues which will be the focus of attention on Thursday have not received an adequate public airing because the forum at which it was intended to do that has not been operating as effectively as it should be. So, you have brought it on yourself by not ensuring that the forum could adequately examine the issues which have come before this Assembly.

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