Page 1800 - Week 06 - Thursday, 14 May 2015

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Question put:

That this bill, as amended, be agreed to.

The Assembly voted—

Ayes 8

Noes 7

Mr Barr

Ms Fitzharris

Mr Coe

Ms Lawder

Dr Bourke

Mr Gentleman

Mr Doszpot

Mr Smyth

Ms Burch

Ms Porter

Mrs Dunne

Mr Wall

Mr Corbell

Mr Rattenbury

Mr Hanson

Question so resolved in the affirmative.

Sitting suspended from 12.16 to 2.30 pm.

Questions without notice

Hospitals—University of Canberra

MR HANSON: My question is to the Minister for Health. Minister, you have repeatedly stated in the Assembly this week and last week that bed numbers at the University of Canberra hospital have not been cut and the hospital will be built with a capacity of 215 beds, including 75 of what you are calling day beds. In a statement released overnight, and reported by the ABC, ACT Health have conceded that they have cut the number of beds at the new hospital and that the day service patients would not occupy a bed. Patients could be treated in a gym, a pool or a consulting room. Minister, given that ACT Health have confirmed that bed numbers have been cut, have you misled the Assembly about cutting beds at the University of Canberra hospital?

MR CORBELL: No, I have not. ACT Health have not confirmed a cut in bed numbers at UCPH. The statement issued to the ABC by ACT Health is very clear. It says that the mix of beds between overnight and day beds or day spaces has been adjusted. The language was “adjusted accordingly”.

Opposition members interjecting—

MADAM SPEAKER: Order, members.

MR CORBELL: The reference was in relation to the mix of overnight beds versus day beds or day spaces. That is what ACT Health advised the ABC. My office has complained to the ABC about the manner in which they have reported that statement because it is incorrect, and ACT Health will be seeking further clarification from the ABC in due course.

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Hanson.

MR HANSON: Minister, how do you reconcile the contradictory statements made by you and ACT Health that have been reported in the media?

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