Page 629 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 22 February 2012
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On 25 March 2009 I moved a motion in this Assembly referring the matter of primary health care to the Legislative Assembly’s health committee, which conducted an inquiry. That motion also required that the government report, which led the next day to the government establishing a task force on 26 March. Both of those bodies of work have together—there were about 30 recommendations of the health inquiry and 28 recommendations from the government task force—led to legislation being introduced in this place and have led to a number of initiatives that have been adopted by the ACT government.
In February 2010 I released a health discussion paper, “The state of our health”, that led to a series of forums, including the forum on primary health care. In November 2010 I wrote to the federal minister, Nicola Roxon, requesting a meeting so that I could discuss matters of health including, and I quote from my letter, “current operations of primary healthcare services”. I look forward to hearing from her office. I have not received a response to that letter. Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Tuggeranong Community Council
Debate resumed.
MR DOSZPOT (Brindabella) (3.14): Mr Speaker, along with my colleagues, during the adjournment debate speeches last Wednesday night I sat absolutely astounded at the ranting of John Hargreaves in this chamber. I guess we should not have been too surprised, as John Hargreaves has made quite a reputation out of being controversial and irreverent—or irrelevant. But a lot of latitude is usually given to good old Johnno. Well, this time he has overstepped all standards of common decency. He attacked the community. He attacked the elderly. He called members of the Tuggeranong Community Council a “geriatric mob”, an “old persons club”, and “nothing but a self-help group”.
What actually caused this great outburst from Mr Hargreaves? It was a motion on planning in Tuggeranong, a detailed motion that touched on a range of issues that this government has neglected in Tuggeranong over the past 10 years. The motion was not about Mr Hargreaves, but he did have a bit part in it. He received some criticism from Mr Smyth, Mr Seselja and me for his lack of interest in his electorate, a lack of interest that was highlighted by him not even being in the chamber and not even taking part in the debate on the Tuggeranong motion. We spoke about him missing in action in the Assembly as well as in the electorate.
What did Mr Hargreaves do when he finally emerged from his slumber in his office after dinner—well after dinner—when the Assembly was about to adjourn and we were giving adjournment speeches? He came down and—
Members interjecting—
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Ms Le Couteur): Mr Seselja, Mr Hargreaves, please be quiet!
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