Page 2249 - Week 07 - Thursday, 23 June 2005
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was not a single commitment from the Liberal Party to invest in public transport in any meaningful way; not a single dollar to make it happen. Of course, it is well worth highlighting that the other key initiative of the Labor Party—$3 million for the preliminary assessment and the environmental, economic, social and other impacts for the proposed Belconnen to Civic busway—is also funded in this year’s budget.
That is the contrast. On this side of the house you have a government committed to supporting public transport and investing in public transport—getting the results on the ground—and record levels of patronage. What do we have from the other side of the house? A party that wants to cut funding and cut initiatives in the public transport area—and no ideas of their own to grow public transport to make it a viable alternative. This government’s record speaks for itself. The bottom line is that more people are catching ACTION buses than ever before.
Mr Quinlan: I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.
Supplementary answers to questions without notice
Calvary Hospital
MR CORBELL: Mr Speaker, in question time yesterday, Mr Smyth asked me a question in relation to an allegation he made that a contractor who was working at the Calvary Hospital had contracted a golden staph infection and that, as a result, a theatre at the Calvary Hospital had to be shut down. The information I have is that Calvary did have contractors changing locks and hinges on doors within the operating rooms at Calvary Hospital on the weekend of 18 and 19 June this year. I have been advised that one of the men cut himself and subsequently stated that he believed he had contracted golden staph. As is the usual practice after this type of work, the operating rooms were cleaned and, when the work was completed, operations resumed on Monday.
There is no golden staph issue within the operating theatre environment at the Calvary Hospital. Further, I am advised that any new cuts such as the one allegedly sustained by the person in question would not be staph affected and that, if any swabs were taken, the results would not yet be available. This overall makes it very difficult for the person to claim that they have in any way acquired golden staph. I would urge Mr Smyth to be a little bit more cautious about these sorts of allegations before he chooses to air them in this place.
In response to the supplementary question Mr Smyth asked me, I can advise members that at the Canberra Hospital the incidence of the multiresistant Staphylococcus aureus is monitored and decreased in the 2004 calendar year compared to the 2001, 2002 and 2003 calendar years. The Canberra Hospital infection control staff have further advised that there have not been any recent outbreaks at the Canberra Hospital.
Social working group
MS GALLAGHER: On Tuesday, 21 June, Mr Seselja asked me a question in relation to the establishment of a working group. He asked for the date on which the working group was formed. The answer to that is 1 June 2005. He also asked about when each of its members was informed of their membership and advised of their roles. The answer to that is 1 June 2005.
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