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

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 10 Hansard (24 September) . . Page.. 3628 ..

MS TUCKER (3.59): I move amendment No 1, circulated in my name, which reads:

Paragraph (1), line 3, omit 'welcomes', substitute 'notes'.

This amendment deletes the word "welcomes"and replaces it with the word "notes". The last sentence of para (1) of Mr Hargreaves' motion will now read: "In particular, the Assembly notes the agreement to".

Amendment agreed to.

MR SMYTH (Leader of the Opposition) (4.00): I move the second amendment circulated in my name, which reads:

(2) Paragraph (3), omit the paragraph.

Amendment negatived.

MS TUCKER (4.01): I move the second amendment circulated in my name, which reads:

Omit paragraph (4), substitute

'encourages an ongoing commitment from the ACT Government to improve the health system for health consumers in the ACT'.

I have already spoken to this amendment.

Amendment agreed to.

MR HARGREAVES (4.02): I thank all members in the chamber for their support. It is remarkable that, as we all know, the health care system in the ACT is in need of a shake-up. The minister is doing what he can in that regard. I note the commitment of the opposition to such an important issue. At one stage, there was only one member there. As usual, there are at least twice as many people on the government side.

I am concerned at the opposition. Quite frankly, that is pathetic for an important issue such as this. Even the shadow minister was missing for a greater part of the debate. That shows the kind of commitment he has to his portfolio!

Mr Smyth said that all the minister had to do was go and talk to the woman. That is a patronising statement, to start with. Then he said, "You ought to go and talk to the minister."The minister did exactly that. He negotiated with the federal minister and came away with major concessions to the agreement, as put down by the bully-boy tactics of the federal government.

The Minister for Health has gone in to bat for the people of the ACT and has delivered major concessions. I am grateful that this minister has delivered for the people of the Tuggeranong Valley. I would have thought that the members for Brindabella, the members for Ginninderra and the members committed to Gungahlin would have stood up in this place and said, "Thank God this minister has the concerns of our people as

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