Page 3665 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 21 November 2007
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MS GALLAGHER: I listen to every single person who contacts me, Mrs Burke. I undertake to review every situation that is given to me and, if the system needs to change, the system changes. That is what a responsible minister in charge of a health system does. I cannot be there to deliver the healthcare treatment to individuals. I cannot be there when clinical decisions are made. But if those clinical decisions are wrong and I am made aware of them, that is the point at which I can step in and respond. I can change the system; I can allow the processes to change. That happens every single day, Mrs Burke. Every single day, the system needs to respond, and that is what it does.
Mrs Burke: Is that right?
MS GALLAGHER: Yes, that is right. That is what happens. That is my responsibility. I would welcome a discussion with you about my competency, Mrs Burke, because I have to say that I harbour the same feelings about yours. I think you are incompletely incompetent. I think you are emotive, that you give people false hope, that you harbour people who have grudges. I think a whole range of things about your performance. So perhaps we should have a discussion about that. Where do I fail? Do I not respond to correspondence? Do I not respond to complaints? Do I not deal with my briefs? Do I not argue for resources in the health system? Do I not change systems? That is my responsibility, and I do that every single day. Every day, I take decisions around the health system.
Mrs Burke: You have to convince the community.
MS GALLAGHER: Every single day, Mrs Burke; you would have no idea what being a minister is like or what being across a portfolio is like. We can see that from the way you handle your portfolio. You have absolutely no regard for the truth in any way, shape or form.
Mrs Burke: On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker—
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: Minister, just be a bit careful with reference to the truth, please.
MS GALLAGHER: I will withdraw that. But we can look at statements that are constantly made in this place that are not true.
Mrs Burke: You can’t say that; you have just been asked to withdraw.
MS GALLAGHER: Statements are made that are incorrect.
Mrs Burke: It is an imputation.
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Mrs Burke.
Mrs Burke: There is an imputation.
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Mrs Burke.
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