Page 3356 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 17 August 2010
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given her mismanagement of the Health portfolio. The list is long and sad if you are someone who has suffered through Katy Gallagher’s health department. We have seen the elective surgery waiting list debacle. We have got the lowest bulk-billing rates. We have seen inefficient hospital systems. We have seen bullying in several areas. We have seen the ineffective use of the emergency departments. We have got staff shortages in neurology. There is a breakdown in communication between the department, the hospital and the clients. We have seen mismanagement of the TB issue and the swine flu. We thought we were giving up 30 per cent of the GST, but it appears we are giving up 50 per cent. We have seen the neglect of mental health and we have seen the car park fiasco where the staff cannot get a car park—all on this minister’s watch, all a failure of diligence, all a failure of competence, all a failure of judgement.
Then, on top of that, we have the serious issues raised in the review of service delivery and clinical outcomes at the maternity units. You only have to read the line where it says that the staff are overworked. I do not know anyone who believes that an overworked doctor or midwife or nurse is working at their best ability. They will do their best—they always do—but they should not have to be under that pressure.
Then we see the complete failure of the management of the Calvary hospital purchase, where apparently now it is all Calvary’s fault. It has always been somebody else’s fault. This minister wanted a secret deal. She wanted it signed up before the last election because all her plans were on the table. Remember that quote? But now it is everybody else’s fault: it is the archbishop’s fault, it is Calvary’s fault, it is the accounting standard.
It is the minister’s fault. She was told by Sinclair Davidson, by Andrew Podger, by Dr Dwyer, by Tony Harris, that there were other ways to do it. And she said: “No, no, no. I know better than all of those individuals and their years of experience. I know best. The only way is to purchase.” And she was wrong. She was going to spend $77 million and she has not had the courtesy to stand up and say, “I was wrong.” On that alone she should go.
Then we have the many instances of her attacking those who made complaints, ignoring those who gave advice, and dealing with the problems through denial and neglect. Her basic defence: “It’s just mud-slinging.” But it was not mud-slinging. The first report says so and I would be fairly certain the second report says so.
Then we have the ongoing poor performance of the ACT health system. The ministerial code of conduct says that ministers must be diligent; ministers must make sure that they get it right. This minister has not done that. This minister, under all the judgements of Westminster, under all the judgements of the code of conduct for ministers, under the House of Representatives Practice, and for her failings, should go.
Ms Gallagher: I seek leave under standing order 46 to make a personal explanation.
Mr Seselja: You can do that at the end of the debate, Katy.
Ms Gallagher: No, I can do it now.
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