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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 1 Hansard (17 February) . . Page.. 213 ..

MS TUCKER (continuing):

Mr Moore has asked for a meeting with me and other members to discuss the issue in the coming weeks, but there is a worrying tendency for the Minister to take charge in a way which is causing even greater division between the various players.

This whole discussion is, once again, related to issues of revenue and finances in the Territory. We have seen the Chief Minister attempt to make political points out of a debate on the budget in the next sitting week. This proposal has been seen for what it is by the community and media - a political stunt. How about actually getting serious about the inclusion of members of the community in discussion and decision-making around these important issues? We recommended a proper review process for the discussion of revenue and expenditure issues in the report of the committee that looked at the superannuation liability. The Greens also asked in their log of claims at the last election for a permanent budget committee to be formed, a committee where the community and members had ongoing involvement. ACTCOSS also have been asking for a review. The opportunity is there. Unfortunately, we do not see this Government move any deeper than the level of political point-scoring.

I will be supporting this motion for the reasons I have outlined. I believe the serious ideological push of this Government and the disregard by Mr Moore for health professionals at the coalface are concerning and counterproductive. However, I will say again that the Government and the Minister are not alone in their mismanagement. I would like to hear from Labor how they would do it, because basically their record is not good either. Mr Moore has brought an emphasis to policy of population health principles and that does not sit comfortably with the political party he has chosen to work with. These internal contradictions are for him to work with; but, if he does not show that he can do so, unfortunately his broader health policies, which I support, will be seen to be no more than words on paper.

Debate interrupted.

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Karralika Therapeutic Community

MR STANHOPE: Mr Speaker, my question is to the Minister for Health and Community Care. In May last year, following a complaint to the Commissioner for Health Complaints regarding provision of services at Karralika therapeutic drug rehabilitation community run by ADFACT, the Commissioner for Health Complaints made a number of recommendations, including a recommendation that a clinical director be appointed to Karralika prior to the commencement of any service review. Similarly, in a report to the Health Minister in October 1998, consultant Dr Stephen Mugford also recommended accelerating the process of appointing a clinical supervisor to Karralika.

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