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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 13 Hansard (21 November) . . Page.. 3895 ..

MR STANHOPE (continuing):

The legislation simplifies the legislative arrangements and formalises the practical reality. It centralises authority and clarifies relationships and lines of accountability. Responsibilities which previously were vested in the Health and Community Care Service now clearly become vested in the territory as the proper entity.

The focus of the changes I have described today is to ensure that the health system has in place the right legislative framework to deliver real accountability to the ACT community and, even more importantly, through that accountability to improve health outcomes. While this bill seeks the agreement of the Assembly to legislative change, I acknowledge that it is only the beginning.

Following the health summit in February, I committed to delivering an action plan for health. I am pleased to inform members that the plan will be launched on 26 November. The plan was developed in consultation with the community, consumers, clinicians and health care providers. The plan will detail a new strategic direction for the portfolio and identify key areas for improvement. I am confident that the plan will be realistic, meaningful and measurable.

What I have outlined today is the legislative response to this government's full-scale examination of the purchaser/provider funding arrangements in health. What is clear is the amount of work we all have to do. We did not invent this system, but we will repair it. We will deliver a health system in the ACT the community can have confidence in.

I commend the bill to the Assembly.

Debate (on motion by Mr Smyth ) adjourned to the next sitting.

Suspension of standing and temporary orders

MS DUNDAS (11.35): Mr Speaker, I move:

That so much of the standing and temporary orders be suspended as would prevent Assembly business, Notice No 1, relating to committee membership, being called on forthwith.

I wish to have my motion relating to the membership of committees debated now as I believe that it needs to be debated before the motion that was adjourned last Thursday. It makes sense to do it in that way.

Question resolved in the affirmative, with the concurrence of an absolute majority.

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