Page 2718 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 6 June 2012
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In relation to the final delay, as I recall it we had some issues with the duress alarm, I think from memory. Then staff made a decision about not wanting to move in over the weekend. We made some decisions that it was preferable to move that back a week. As you would imagine, we were wanting to make sure that the facility was safe for staff and the patients who were staying in there. It was a big change to move seamlessly from the psychiatric unit to the new adult mental health unit.
But it has been done. They have been incredibly busy since. It is working very well and I think we should be very proud of the fact that we have such a wonderful facility operational in the ACT for ACT residents and NSW residents who require mental health in-patient support.
In relation to the capital program more broadly, what the Canberra community can trust is that they will have excellent facilities. By the time this hospital infrastructure program is complete, and people will see those now—the women’s and children’s hospital, the adult mental health unit, the Belconnen community health centre, the Gungahlin community health centre—
Mr Hanson: Mr Speaker, point of order.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, one moment, Ms Gallagher.
Mr Hanson: Getting to the point of relevance, the minister is referring to what they will get at the completion of the capital works program. My question was specifically how the Canberra public can trust whether they will be built on time. I would ask the minister to get to the point. At the moment she is discussing what they will end up with. But I want to know how the public can trust that these capital works will be built on time.
Mr Hargreaves: On the point of order, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mr Hargreaves.
Mr Hargreaves: Mr Hanson’s preamble to his question went through a great litany of delays regarding the mental health facility. It is necessary for the Chief Minister to indicate what was the issue which caused that particular delay. I think she was almost through that particular thing. I would ask you to allow the answer to proceed.
MR SPEAKER: On your point, Mr Hargreaves, I think the Chief Minister has had some latitude to address the context in which Mr Hanson set up the question. Chief Minister, could you now focus on the question of timeliness of delivery of the projects, which was the essence of Mr Hanson’s question.
MS GALLAGHER: His question was actually about trust, Mr Speaker. That was the question he asked. What I am saying is that in the area of trust, what the Canberra community expects and what they get from me as health minister with responsibility for this program is that I am determined to deliver this infrastructure program. If there
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