Page 2604 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 5 June 2012
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This is what the government has been working on in transforming the health system. Yes, there will always be interest in emergency departments and elective surgery. You cannot take your eye off that, but at the same time I think it is worth acknowledging the hard work of people working in the public health system who are delivering all of these services that the Liberals would call the worst health system in the country.
Mr Seselja interjecting—
MS GALLAGHER: That is what you have stuck your name to, Mr Seselja. Good luck to you.
MR SPEAKER: Ms Porter, you have a supplementary question.
MS PORTER: Chief Minister, as part of that transformation, how has the government invested in beds and staff to meet growing demand and prepare our health system for the future?
MS GALLAGHER: I thank Ms Porter for the question. It is true that the government has invested heavily in beds across the public hospital system. In the five years prior to this government’s election to office, the Liberals took 114 beds out of the public health system—114 beds.
Mr Smyth interjecting—
MS GALLAGHER: Mr Smyth always says: “It’s not true. Prove it.” And every time he does it I table the AIHW advice. There: I am very happy to table it again. I do not see you scurrying off to pick that up. I table the following paper:
ACT Public Hospitals—Bed capacity by year—Graph.
Members interjecting—
Mr Hargreaves: Point of order, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Chief Minister, one moment, thank you. Stop the clock. Mr Hargreaves on a point of order.
Mr Hargreaves: Mr Speaker, this side has heard the questions in relative silence for all this time. I am having a lot of trouble hearing the Chief Minister answer the question from Ms Porter. I really would like—
Members interjecting—
Mr Hargreaves: Would you please ask those folks just to be quiet for the remaining seven minutes of question time?
MR SPEAKER: Order! We will proceed with question time. Chief Minister, you have the floor.
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