Page 1625 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 1 April 2009
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Really, time has passed on, Ms Porter, and there is now a task force and an inquiry that will be looking at exactly what the second part of your motion is calling for. I have moved an amendment that maintains the first paragraph that Ms Porter is concerned about, which is that there has been an abrupt closure of the Kippax family practice and it has caused significant concern and disruption.
But my amendment, as you will see, then identifies that there is an inquiry that will be taking care of these sorts of issues and there is a task force that will be taking care of these issues. What we do not need is yet another investigation into this piece of legislation; what we need is the action now from both the inquiry and the task force.
In summary, I certainly thank Ms Porter for the opportunity to talk about GPs in the ACT again. It is a very important issue that this government is finally taking action on. It has responded to calls from the opposition over the last few months—years, in fact—for action to be taken on GPs.
It is great to see that the backbench is engaged. I think that Ms Porter is a bit behind the times, but it is great to see that she is taking some interest. I do hope that it is not simply about Kippax and about her moving motions in this house so that she can put out press releases either before or after the event lauding what a wonderful job her government is doing and what a great part she is playing in that because, as we have seen from the evidence, that is not the case. I have moved and circulated an amendment that I think improves the quality and the substance of Ms Porter’s motion. I commend that amendment to the house.
MR DOSZPOT (Brindabella) (11.01): I note that Ms Porter’s motion states:
That this Assembly:
(1) notes that the abrupt closure of the Kippax Family Practice has caused significant concern and disruption to staff and patients and the local community; and
(2) calls on the ACT Government to investigate possible legislative responses that could be pursued to ensure that patients are afforded an appropriate period of notice.
I also note that at its meeting on Thursday, 7 August 2008, the previous Assembly resolved:
That the closure of the Wanniassa Medical Centre be referred to the Standing Committee on Health for immediate enquiry and to report back to the Assembly on Tuesday, 26 August 2008.
The committee resolved to consider the circumstances of the closure, the impact on the residents of the Tuggeranong Valley, the nature of the ACT government’s relationship with privately owned general practice in the ACT and possible options for the future delivery of GP services in the ACT. That committee’s membership was Ms Porter, Deputy Chair; the Chair, another government MLA, Ms Karin MacDonald; and Mrs Jacqui Burke from the opposition.
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