Page 2379 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 29 August 2007
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that we have that protection. I am told that the ACT’s protection is not in the same league as that offered, for example, in New South Wales. (Second speaking period taken.)
I also have concerns about the recourses generally available to a whistleblower. It seems that, to have legal options available, it would be necessary for someone to suffer physical harm. If this is the case, it does not take into account the emotional stress and harm that can occur when a whistleblower is ostracised by the system and by their peers. Clearly, there needs to be protection for people who make the decision to blow the whistle on faults in the system. If necessary, it is the duty of this Assembly and the government to ensure that this should be legislated and adhered to.
In the aftermath of Monday night’s Four Corners program I hope that the government has ensured that all investigations into what occurred at the Canberra Hospital have been conducted thoroughly
Ms Gallagher: We have.
MR MULCAHY: I am pleased to hear that, minister. And that they focused on patients as well as documents. A man’s career has been destroyed. It appears that it is because he had the courage to speak out to prevent harm to patients. It is vital that his loss has not been in vain and that his actions achieved what he set out to do. Moreover, we should not rest until the gross injustice he has endured is remedied. A financial settlement can only be part of that process. This man’s future career must also be addressed.
Ms Gallagher: We have settled the matter.
MR MULCAHY: The minister says, “We have settled.” I will be keen to hear the date on which that document was executed.
Going back to the health appropriation in the broad, I am pleased to learn that the rapid assessment service, including specialist geriatricians, will now provide elderly residents with care in their homes and, if needed, facilitate their access to the health system.
I will not say too much more but I want to reiterate my concern that relying on money spent as justification for a job well done is not in itself satisfactory. There are legitimate concerns in the community that must be addressed. The government should not be so self-congratulatory in the face of considerable criticism from our community until it can say beyond doubt that the issues I have raised today have been addressed.
MR SMYTH (Brindabella) (5.53): I will start with a few comments on the health system and detail it in the broad before going to some specifics. The minister is asking for $665 million to run the health system, which is an enormous amount of money—an appropriation second only to education in the volume of dollars requested.
I want to look firstly at one indicator which is an eye on how the system works. The minister has set herself—
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