Page 1654 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 1 May 2012
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
responsibilities as Minister for Health. Following on from the immediate management of the data irregularity, I took advice from trusted advisers on how to deal with the perception of a conflict of interest situation created by the personal connection to the staff member. I took that advice from different sources over a three-day period. These three days included a public holiday.
This included advice about the Privacy Act and other legal advice about what options were available to me. In considering those options, I had discussions with my cabinet colleagues about the best way forward. I was very conscious that I had done nothing wrong. I did not want any decision to remove myself from this issue as a sign that I had been involved in any way.
As much as the Liberals would like to make it the case, these decisions are not easy ones. There is no handbook that gives you the ABC of how to deal with a situation like this. This is the first time in my time in the Assembly that I have had to deal with a situation like this. One can be guided by advice, by the members code of conduct and by the ministers code of conduct, but ultimately it had to be my decision about how best to deal with any perception of a conflict of interest. I made that decision, and on Friday I announced that in order to avoid any perception of a conflict of interest, I was handing responsibility for the review to the Deputy Chief Minister, Andrew Barr.
The facts are crystal clear. I disclosed all information as swiftly as I was practically able to do so. I sought advice and took it from many, including from the Government Solicitor, whose advice I value rather more highly than the advice of those opposite. I have acted at all times with integrity and openness.
Finally, Mr Speaker, can I simply say—and I by no means say this to downplay the seriousness of this matter—that this issue is about data. It had no impact—
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MS GALLAGHER: If you could just stop laughing at that point, Mr Hanson. It had no impact on the fantastic quality of care provided to the hundreds of Canberrans who turn up at our emergency department every week. You might find that funny, Mr Hanson, but they do not.
This is an incident involving data collection. There is no suggestion that anyone failed to receive the treatment they needed as a consequence of what happened. The Health Directorate has begun the process of checking individual records and will republish the corrected data once this has been finalised.
I have been health minister for six years now. It is a difficult and demanding portfolio at times, but throughout my time in Health I have witnessed the most extraordinary effort that goes into managing and working in health care by the people that dedicate their lives to caring for and curing others. That is what keeps me here. I will not give up, and I will not be sidetracked by venomous personal nastiness by those opposite who, for 3½ years, whilst I have been working with others to build, expand and develop the health system, have not come up with one single policy idea. Not one. They are great at whingeing, complaining and knocking. But actually getting things
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video