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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 7 Hansard (29 June) . . Page.. 2251 ..

MS TUCKER (continuing):

understands the ACT government's initial intent was to have Koomarri purchase the park and that the government has indicated that it wants the best outcome for residents, including Koomarri's clients. In the meantime, the caretaker has pursued the option of purchasing the park himself and in March of this year the caretaker put a proposal of cooperation to Koomarri. More recently, he proposed the development of a memorandum of understanding with Koomarri. Can the minister advise the Assembly what stage has been reached in the government's negotiations on this matter?

MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, discussions with Koomarri are still progressing. I am not aware of the discussions that Mr Eskrigge has had with Koomarri. As soon as we have reached a position, which will not be far away, I will be making an announcement on the caravan park.

MS TUCKER: I have a supplementary question. I did not understand from your answer whether you have actually met with Mr Eskrigge. Could you clarify that?

MR SMYTH: I have, yes.

Ms Carnell: I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.

MR MOORE: Mr Speaker, yesterday Mr Corbell asked me a question with regard to nursing and double shifts at the Canberra Hospital. I am delighted to be able to bring an answer to the Assembly. The question was about how many double shifts nurses have worked in the last four weeks and how many of them were done in the ICU. Remember the good news I told you about the ICU; just keep that in perspective.

Between 25 May 2000 and 27 June 2000, 97 double shifts were worked by nurses at the whole of the Canberra Hospital. Of this total, 39 or 40.2 per cent were worked in the ICU. However, to put it into context, since 25 May 2000 there has been a total of 11,563 nursing shifts worked at the Canberra Hospital. The total amount of double shifts there accounts for less than one per cent-0.84 per cent-of the total nursing shifts worked in that time.

Contact with other major teaching hospitals has indicated that, for this time of year, this level is not aberrant Another factor to consider is that if the patients require nursing care and other nursing staff or casuals, et cetera, are unavailable for the roster, the use of double shifts becomes necessary in the interest of patient care. Mr Corbell, we put patient care number one, as do the nurses who are working there and who are prepared to do these double shifts because they are about patient care.

MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, I would like to make a personal explanation pursuant to standing order 46.

MR SPEAKER: Proceed.

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