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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 11 Hansard (5 November) . . Page.. 3627 ..

Mr Berry: Mr Speaker, I think that Mrs Carnell may have missed my quote.

MR SPEAKER: I do not think she has, Mr Berry. I think she is answering it.

Mr Berry: She said yesterday, "It is a management decision and certainly not one that is a fee or charge set by government". What a big one!

MR SPEAKER: Please sit down.

MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, those fees and charges are not set by government at all. The management of the hospital sets those fees, Mr Speaker. But I agree that this particular one is not fair.

Mr Whitecross: "I, Kate Carnell, make the following determination".

MRS CARNELL: Mr Berry, was it charged when you were - - -

Mr Whitecross: Mr Humphries is hiding behind his papers. He is too embarrassed.

Mr Humphries: I have better things to do than listen to your drivel.

MR SPEAKER: Please be quiet. I would just remind people at the beginning of this question time that, if it is rowdy, some members may find themselves having some spare time this afternoon.

MRS CARNELL: I wonder whether Mr Berry is aware that it was charged when he was Health Minister.

Mr Berry: Yes; $3 for a bedroom.

MR SPEAKER: Mr Berry, be careful. I meant what I said.

Mr Whitecross: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: If Mrs Carnell is going to ask Mr Berry questions across the chamber, she has to expect to have them answered. If you do not want him to answer the questions, you should encourage Mrs Carnell not to ask them.

MR SPEAKER: I would remind Government members not to be provocative; but I would also remind Opposition members not to interject constantly.

MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, this is a fee, or charge, that was inherited by this Government. As I am informed, it is a charge that is made at other hospitals around Australia. But I agree totally that it is pretty unfair to charge a parent who sits beside the bed of their child a fee for a fold-out bed. So, Mr Speaker, what did I do? I acted on it. It is already not there anymore, Mr Speaker.

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