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

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 1 Hansard (18 February) . . Page.. 340 ..

MR MOORE (continuing):

The Canberra Hospital - Information Bulletins - Patient Activity Data - November and December 1998.

Department of Health and Community Care - Activity Report - September and December quarters 1998.

MR MOORE (Minister for Health and Community Care) (3.57): Mr Speaker, for the information of members, I present the Government's response to Public Accounts Committee Report No. 10 of the Standing Committee for the Chief Minister's Portfolio, entitled "Review of Auditor-General's Report No. 7, 1997 - The Disability Program and Community Nursing", which was presented to the Assembly on 29 October 1998, and I move:

That the Assembly takes note of the paper.

The Government has now had the opportunity to consider the committee's report and its recommendations. Mr Speaker, I must say that I am very pleased to have had the time to do so, unlike the situation that we were put in yesterday with the Children's Services Act, where we sought the time and we argued in here for half an hour that we ought to have the time, and then we had Mr Berry having the gall - - -

Mr Corbell: I take a point of order on relevance, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: I accept the point of order.

MR MOORE: Mr Speaker, we had Mr Berry having the gall to suggest that he be given leave to put up a motion to force us to table something that was not ready.

MR SPEAKER: Order, Mr Moore!

MR MOORE: I am therefore pleased, Mr Speaker, to be able to table the Government's response today. Members will note that the standing committee considered that the issues of concern raised by the audit appear largely to have been addressed and that efforts have been made to evaluate the level of improvement in the disability program.

The Government's response addresses each of the committee's recommendations positively and in detail. The Government declines to accept only one of the standing committee's recommendations, that is, that an independent external review of the disability program be appointed within six months. I would like you to understand the reason; I am sure that you will appreciate it. The Government's reason is that in May 1998 the disability program, including the Independent Living Centre, underwent a rigorous and comprehensive examination by an independent external review - basically, the recommendation. The review awarded the program three-year accreditation by the

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