Page 2424 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 17 June 2009

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MS GALLAGHER: It is a ridiculous motion. It is written in such a way that we can’t agree to it.

Mrs Dunne: You can’t agree with it because it was ours.

MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, members!

MS GALLAGHER: I have been very clear with the Assembly around the negotiation process, where it is up to, to date, and the fact that the Assembly will be involved at the right point in time. We are not there yet. The Assembly has a role. It has a legitimate role. I am meeting with stakeholders as we speak—in fact, I am meeting with some more tomorrow—to talk with them around the idea that the ACT community might be able to purchase a public hospital and then invest in it and build up a fantastic facility on the north side of Canberra, in a way that does not cripple our budget. We are unable to do that if the ownership arrangements remain the same.

Mr Hanson: Why not?

MS GALLAGHER: I have been through it with you, Mr Hanson, a number of times. If you do not understand, I can’t help you anymore. I can’t help you. I have explained it at length in estimates and you do not understand it. If you can’t understand how funding of this capital asset development plan impacts on Calvary, I can’t help you anymore. The government will not support the motion and the Assembly will be involved at the right point in time.

MS BRESNAN (Brindabella) (11.02): I move my amendment to Mr Hanson’s motion:

Omit all words after “That this Assembly”, substitute:

“(1) notes that the ACT Government is currently in negotiations to purchase the Calvary Public Hospital; and

(2) calls on the ACT Government to:

(a) commit to providing as a minimum the current level of services at Calvary, if the purchase goes ahead;

(b) conduct a survey of health consumers who use Calvary Hospital on the level and quality of services provided and their expectations for the future; and

The Greens believe that the Liberals’ motion goes too far. That is why we are moving the amendment today. In particular, I refer to 1(a) of the motion about the secretive negotiations. We have had the same briefings as the Liberals have. It has been explained to us by the Little Company of Mary themselves that they did actually

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