Page 603 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
MS GALLAGHER: Thank you, Mrs Dunne. “It should be there now.” Well, you can just fast-forward and do this, can’t you? The issue, as you would know, as many large construction projects have been affected, is that there have been some significant impacts on time. The weather has certainly played a role, as has getting a skilled workforce for the particular jobs that are required on a project of this size.
The advice to me at the time that I made the comments was that it would be finished at the end of 2011. But I have been up to date and clear with people, as delays have affected this project, on the completion date. The advice to me at this stage is that it will be operational in the first half of this year, for women and children. As opposed to the Liberal Party, that blows up hospitals, we actually build them. You blow them up; we build them.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Seselja, a supplementary question.
MR SESELJA: Minister, have ACT women and children been negatively impacted by the delays under your government in the construction of this facility?
MS GALLAGHER: No, they have not, because women and children have been dealt with by the extremely highly professional staff that currently operate the women’s and children’s unit at the Canberra Hospital. What we are talking about is improving on that. They get excellent care there, absolutely excellent care at the Canberra Hospital, but they are going to get access to better facilities: better facilities for staff, better facilities for children, better facilities for neonatal and better facilities for families.
They will be dealing with 80 per cent single rooms, to reduce the risk of infection. Nowhere else have we been able to provide that level of amenity so that families can stay with their children. Partners can stay together whilst they are caring for children. This is a big project. We want to get it right. That is why we have increased the scope. That is why we have made sure we have put in sensible additions like a burns bath for children. All of the things that the Liberal Party opposed, all of the things that they complain about, we are building for women and children here in the ACT.
Members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: One moment, Ms Gallagher. Stop the clock. There is a high level of interjection going on. The minister is answering the question. I expect to be able to hear her.
MS GALLAGHER: I have finished, thank you, Mr Speaker.
MR HANSON: Supplementary, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mr Hanson.
MR HANSON: Minister, do you take any responsibility for the delays in the construction of this facility?
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video