Page 2715 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 29 June 2010
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MR SPEAKER: Mr Hanson, a supplementary?
MR HANSON: Yes, Mr Speaker. Minister, has everyone who asked to see a psychologist been able to do so?
MS GALLAGHER: I just cannot answer that here today. I do not know that I would ever be able to answer it because I imagine there will be a disgruntled staff member that says they asked to see a psychologist but did not get to see one. From Health’s point of view, when someone sought to raise a grievance Health sought very actively indeed, right up to the chief executive’s office, to respond to that and to respond to that appropriately. If that required seeing a psychologist or accessing some employee assistance program then my understanding is that has been encouraged as well.
MRS DUNNE: A supplementary question, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mrs Dunne.
MRS DUNNE: Minister, what has been the cost of having workplace psychologists deal with workplace culture issues in your department in this round?
MS GALLAGHER: The cost has not been determined yet; it is ongoing, and at this point it is being managed within the Health budget.
MR HARGREAVES: A supplementary question, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mr Hargreaves.
MR HARGREAVES: Thanks very much. Minister, can you tell us whether or not the psychology services of Health were brought to bear to assist those staff of the Liberal Party here when they actually were hounded out of this building?
Mrs Dunne: Mr Speaker—
MR SPEAKER: The question is out of order. Mr Hargreaves, your—
Mr Hargreaves: No, it is a fair question.
MR SPEAKER: It is not a fair question. Mr Hargreaves, sit down, thank you. Mr Hargreaves, I think you know that I am going to rule that question out of order. If you continue to ask questions that are evidently out of order, you are going to push me to have to make a stronger ruling than simply ruling it out of order.
Mr Hargreaves: On your ruling, Mr Speaker, with absolute respect, we are seeing questions from those opposite which are talking about workplace bullying. We know that there is a record of two members of staff who were hounded out of this place.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Hargreaves, this is not a point of order.
Mr Hargreaves: Mr Speaker, I want to know—
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