Page 2422 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 17 June 2009
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MS GALLAGHER: It was clear what we needed to do in our health facilities. What we did not get from you was any plan on health. What we still do not have from you is any plan on health; what we do not have is any view on public health in the ACT.
Mr Hanson: You’ll get a letter from a public servant!
MS GALLAGHER: We have a lazy opposition spokesperson on health who struggles in his capacity to understand the concepts and the challenges that are facing the health system here in the ACT. The Calvary discussions are important for this community. They should not be derailed—
Mrs Dunne: Darn tooting they are.
Mr Seselja: Indeed they are.
Mrs Dunne: They are important.
MS GALLAGHER: They should not be derailed by an opposition that is bent on opposing absolutely everything this government does, by trying to create conspiracies which do not exist. The Calvary hospital is a good negotiation, an important negotiation, for the ACT community.
What the Liberals are arguing now is that, before we have any negotiations as a government with a significant health provider in the ACT, we should bring that matter here; we should get the agreement of the Assembly; we should then undertake an extensive community consultation process to actually establish whether or not we are allowed, indeed, to talk to that health provider about whether there are any changes to governance. That is the argument you are running, and it is simply not credible.
This government has an opportunity to deliver to the people of the ACT a fantastic health facility on the north side of Canberra. Not only do we have that; we have the opportunity to have that asset sit on our balance sheet as an asset of the ACT community. That is what is guiding my drive to make sure that we have an integrated public health system that is ready for the challenges ahead. We have an opportunity where the other provider, Little Company of Mary in this case, is willing to engage with us. Even Little Company of Mary accepts that there are some good reasons for one public health provider to operate two public health hospitals here in the ACT. Even Little Company of Mary accepts that, and this is why it has been prepared to enter into negotiations with us.
Mr Seselja: So give the detail then. Put forward the business case.
MS GALLAGHER: Mr Seselja keeps interjecting, “Put forward the business case.” You do not understand how negotiation processes operate, do you, Mr Seselja?
Mr Seselja: The business case is that you think it’s a good idea. That is what you’ve told us so far.
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