Page 3173 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 22 August 2012
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consistency in elective surgery waiting times to be agreed by jurisdictions so that we do not have this bizarre situation where 10 per cent of New South Wales patients who are category 3 get their surgery within five days. That is the situation at the moment. What we need is consistency and the Liberal Party in WA are smart enough to recognise it. They are calling for it and I look forward to your support for it.
MR HANSON: A supplementary, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mr Hanson.
MR HANSON: Has the WA health minister been found to have a department that has been doctoring its data, minister?
MS GALLAGHER: I have written to all of the health ministers around the country. I have had a couple of responses.
Mr Seselja: This is our problem, guys.
MS GALLAGHER: The EDIS system has actually operated in over 100 hospitals around Australia, Mr Seselja. So there is a responsibility, where there are some significant issues with EDIS—because, as you know from participating in some of the forums, EDIS was set up to track patients through the hospital. It was not set up for performance and data reporting to the extent that is required now. So I have done the right thing and have written to my ministerial colleagues around Australia. I have provided them with a copy of the Auditor-General’s report. Indeed I have had responses from some of them saying that they are reviewing their data integrity systems in light of the Auditor-General’s report. That is a responsible thing to do; that is what I have done.
Hot-water heaters
MS LE COUTEUR: My question is to the Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development and relates to the replacement of hot-water services for existing buildings. Minister, in 2009 I introduced legislation to require energy efficient hot-water services for new and replacement installations. During the debate the then planning minister, Andrew Barr, said:
… I make the commitment that regardless of any national implementation date or timing for introduction into national codes or standards, the ACT will introduce appropriate legislation for new and replacement water heaters in class 1 buildings by 1 May 2010, to be effective no later than 1 July 2010.
Minister, why have you not done what Mr Barr said the government would do—namely, introduce appropriate legislation for new and replacement water heaters?
MR CORBELL: I thank Ms Le Couteur for the question. I think Mr Barr made it clear at the time, and I am happy to reiterate, that the government’s commitment was contingent on agreement on national reform when it came to the replacement standards for hot-water systems. Regrettably, that national agreement has not yet been reached.
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