Page 4121 - Week 13 - Thursday, 31 October 2013
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front-line paramedic staff, more clinical support staff and more management support for a growing organisation. We have made investments in new ambulances, we have increased the number of ambulances on shift and we have opened and developed new ambulance facilities.
That has meant a very significant change in the type of organisation that is the ACT Ambulance Service. I think it is timely that we look at how the culture is within the organisation because of those very significant structural changes. We look at that both in the context of employees and management, and I think it is a timely and appropriate thing to be doing.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Lawder.
MS LAWDER: Minister, I believe you referred to complaints over a period of six years. Why has it taken the government so long to act on concerns about the culture of the Ambulance Service?
MR CORBELL: It has not, and I did not say six years. I said six incidents in relation to inappropriate behaviour over three years.
The government has not been tardy in this matter. The union raised the matter with me last year and I agreed this matter should be progressed. Since that time, the union and the government have been in discussions about the nature of the review, its terms of reference and who should conduct it. And those discussions have been conducted in a good spirit and in a cooperative manner, and I am confident that we are close to finalisation of those matters.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Minister, when will you get the report of the review you have ordered, who will conduct the inquiry, what are the terms of reference, and will you table them?
MR CORBELL: As those matters are yet to be finalised, it would be speculative to address those other points Mr Smyth raises.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Berry.
MS BERRY: When will the minister table the outcome of the review in the Assembly?
MR CORBELL: I thank Ms Berry for the question. That is a matter I will consider once the review has reported to me.
Health—reusable bags
MR SMYTH: My question is to the Minister for Health. I refer to advice by Professor Hugh Pennington of the University of Aberdeen published online on News.com.au about the danger of carrying meat in reusable bags. Professor
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