Page 4475 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 14 October 2009
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accusation to delay lies. Reviewing the Waterford article, I do not think he is suggesting the opposition is trying to delay.
I believe that the Little Company of Mary are genuine in their desire to have a private hospital there, but we must be aware that a private hospital is not part of this deal. All that is part of this deal is the option of two pieces of land. I have spoken to Tom Brennan about it. There is no guarantee that we will get a private hospital once we decant the private hospital that currently exists. We just need to be aware of that risk.
I turn now to the Greens’ comments. I think they have embarrassed themselves today on a number of counts. I turn firstly to Ms Hunter’s embarrassing episode when she went down and fronted the media and accused me of not having researched this issue because I had not spoken to the Auditor-General. Ms Bresnan told her I had not spoken to the Auditor-General. We all know that I have spoken to the Auditor-General. Ms Bresnan knows that I have spoken to the Auditor-General. To say that I had not researched it indicates who had not done their research, and that is Ms Hunter. Unfortunately, by saying that she has made herself look rather like a fool.
I can tell you the research I have done, which I would contend is far more than the Greens have done. I have been through the government’s documents in detail on the web and I have extensive notes. I would like to review them with you, but they might be a little bit sensitive for you to look at, to be honest, Ms Gallagher. The Auditor-General’s report I have obviously been through in detail and I note, in my extensive reading, that there is no mention of a sale or a purchase—nor is there a mention of Clare Holland House anywhere in that report, which is an important part of this detail also.
I have been briefed by Tom Brennan personally and I have spoken to him several times by phone. I have toured through the hospital twice—once through the private hospital, with Walter Kmet from the Little Company of Mary, and once with ACT Health staff through the public hospital. What else have I done? I have had two briefings from the Treasurer. I have had two conversations with the Auditor-General, Ms Hunter, which is more than anyone—any member of the Greens party, who have not spoken to her at all—has had.
Ms Hunter interjecting—
MR HANSON: Your staff did. In other words, it is a very different thing when you are accusing me of not having done the research. I have spoken to her twice. I have spoken to her head of financial auditing and you are saying, “We’ve done all the research because one of my staff had a chat to her.” Do not come into this place saying that I have not done the research when it is you that has not. I also sought advice from the Clerk prior to putting this motion in as to whether it was appropriate and whether it was in accord with the legislation. I received advice from the Clerk of the Assembly that it was entirely appropriate and that what I was doing was fine.
I would contend that if the Greens are going to stand here and argue that the motion was not researched, that it was not appropriate, that it was not in accordance with the act and that I had not spoken to the Auditor-General and so on, they need to get their
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