Page 2187 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 28 August 2007
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the original agreement was for extensions and options to extend or what the basis of that was.
I would not be absolutely at all surprised, Mr Speaker, to find that the original contract, which was probably a goodly number of years plus a goodly number of years of options as well, was entered into before self-government or even in the term, dare I say it, of the previous government. But I will find out, Mr Speaker, and quite happily bring that information back. If Dr Foskey wants to add on a few more pieces by way of supplementaries, we would be delighted to take them on board as well.
MR SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Dr Foskey?
DR FOSKEY: Yes. How are generous rental terms like these taken into account when government decisions result in businesses insisting that the government owes them compensation?
MR HARGREAVES: Mr Speaker, I really think that Dr Foskey has asked me to express an opinion on that. If she is, I cannot answer it because I do not have one.
Secondly, when we consider the value of the land, my understanding from the property group is that the Australian valuer’s office, the valuer-general’s office, on behalf of the territory, go into these premises, do a valuation on the size and the locality of the property and determine a rate which will apply to these particular properties, and that is what we apply. Unless my understanding is incorrect, that is the answer. If it is incorrect, Dr Foskey, I will let you know on Thursday.
Hospitals—infection control
MS MacDONALD: My question is to Ms Gallagher in her capacity as Minister for Health. Minister, could you provide the Assembly with the details of infection control measures in place at our public hospitals.
MS GALLAGHER: I thank Ms MacDonald for her question. This question is important, as there has recently been some public discussion regarding infection control measures in our public hospitals, most recently on Stateline on Friday night. In particular, media reports have raised concerns about the admission of a patient with an antibiotic resistant bacterium known as VRE to the day surgery unit at the Canberra Hospital. The report suggested that the patient was not cared for in accordance with clinical protocols and policy.
I have investigated the matter, as did ACT Health at the time the claims were made. I have been advised that these claims are incorrect and that, when those concerns were raised, they were responded to immediately by the infection control team who reviewed the case. The team have confirmed that the correct protocol was being followed in the circumstances of this patient’s needs and admission.
It is entirely appropriate for staff members to raise concerns with management—in fact we encourage staff to do so—regarding such matters. In this case, these concerns were responded to promptly by management. But in this case the claims were found to be incorrect.
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