Page 58 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 7 December 2004
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MR SPEAKER: Order, Dr Foskey. Could you come to the point of the question.
DR FOSKEY: Can the minister scotch the rumour that the health department will not release the workplace environment review—now that the Labor Party has majority government—and assure the Assembly that the full review, including all recommendations, of which there are 30, will be publicly released; that the government will respond to it in full; and that the recommendations, where accepted, will be implemented as soon as possible in a comprehensive and transparent manner?
MR CORBELL: I thank Dr Foskey for the question. The government does not intend—I did not intend—to release that report. The reason, on clear advice, is that to do so would result in some fairly serious breaches of privacy for the individuals involved. It comments in a very detailed way on issues that affect individual staff members, who are identified by name. For that reason, I do not intend to make the report public. However, I am prepared to offer a detailed briefing to any member who is interested in this particular issue and at the same time I can assure Assembly members that the government is implementing all of the outcomes of that workplace environment review to ensure that the issues are appropriately and comprehensively addressed.
MR SPEAKER: Does the member have a supplementary question?
DR FOSKEY: Yes, thanks very much, Mr Speaker. I understand that the recruitment of a new director for the Alcohol and Drug Program has commenced nationally–
MR SPEAKER: Dr Foskey, there is a rule–
DR FOSKEY: Can the minister reassure the Assembly—
MR SPEAKER: You just picked up on that ruling.
DR FOSKEY: I am learning fast! Can the minister reassure the Assembly that the successful candidate will lead any necessary culture change and advise us of arrangements that will be put in place to oversee such change?
MR CORBELL: Again, I thank Dr Foskey for the question. The government, through ACT Health, has commenced a nationwide recruitment process for a new manager of the program. I understand that that has attracted a good level of interest and I am confident we will be able to recruit a quality candidate. Obviously, the need to reform the culture of the program is paramount in my mind and in the mind of the Chief Executive of ACT Health. The Chief Executive of ACT Health is keeping me closely informed of the process: he is taking a very close interest and personal oversight of the process for recruitment for that new position.
MR SPEAKER: On the issue of supplementary questions: it has been my consistent position that I do not allow preambles to supplementary questions. I will be continuing that practice.
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