Page 3878 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 25 August 2010
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MR HARGREAVES: Minister, are there any other services provided by Canberra Hospital other than maternity services?
MR SPEAKER: The question is out of order. Mr Seselja has the call.
MR SESELJA: Minister, do you accept responsibility for your department’s actions in their dialogue between your department and the reviewers?
MS GALLAGHER: Yes, I do, Mr Speaker. I think this has been a very difficult piece of work to be done. I understand that there have been discussions between the department and the review team around content in the report—from views held within the department and views held within the review team. It is a normal process, as I understand it. I would say that this piece of work has probably been the most difficult piece of work in ensuring that we get a fair and balanced review.
Mr Seselja: Did anyone in your office read the draft?
MS GALLAGHER: No, Mr Seselja. I am aware there is a rumour going around—I have not found out who is circulating the rumour, but certainly they have spoken to Mr Hanson—about this threat that the department interfered unreasonably in the review. I certainly do not share that view. I think there are mixed views amongst doctors around input into this review, around fair process, around natural justice and around some doctor politics that still exist.
Mr Hanson: That doesn’t sound like factual changes to me.
MS GALLAGHER: What I can confirm for you, Mr Hanson, is that there were changes requested about factual content and individuals. As to any other changes that were requested, I am unaware of them and I have undertaken to get back to you. I can confirm that I have not read the draft report. I can confirm that there were discussions between the Department of Health and the review team around the report. As you can see, the report has been provided in its entirety for everybody in this place.
I am very concerned that there are rumours going around that the department has interfered unreasonably in this process. I do not think that is the case. I think the department has a role to fulfil and it had to deal with that problem.
Capital works—program
MR HARGREAVES: My question is to the Treasurer. It has got nothing to do with health, necessarily. Treasurer, could you please inform the Assembly of the preliminary outcome of the capital works program for 2009-10?
MS GALLAGHER: I can. I am very pleased to inform the Assembly that the outcome for the 2009-10 capital works program is excellent, both in terms of the number of projects completed and the physical progress of the works to date.
Mrs Dunne: And the number of dollars.
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