Page 2010 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 5 June 2018
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It is a whole-of-hospital investment. This is all part of the government’s commitment to invest more in core health services so that we can provide better and faster access to health care for the Canberra community.
ACT Health—proposed organisational changes
MS LAWDER: My question is to the Minister for Mental Health. Minister, the Chief Minister decided to restructure the Health Directorate on 15 March, the same day on which the Head of Service made a formal recommendation to him to do so. The background supporting that recommendation noted that there was no consultation internally or across directorates. The schedule of documents released under FOI in relation to this matter lists no records of meetings between you, the minister for health or the Chief Minister to discuss a restructure of ACT Health. Yet you claimed in the media on 4 June that you and Ms Fitzharris had been in regular contact for as long as 12 months before this decision was taken. Minister, why are there no records in the schedule of documents of meetings between yourself, Ms Fitzharris and Mr Barr to discuss this restructure?
MR RATTENBURY: As I have been perfectly clear about in my public comments, Minister Fitzharris and I meet quite regularly. There is obviously a significant degree of crossover of the areas that we work on. Whilst we each have our particular areas of responsibility when it comes to the Health Directorate, there are obviously areas that cross over, and, as I said in my public comments, we have over a period of time discussed the best way and the best model for ACT Health to operate under. That is the basis on which I made those public comments.
The framing by the Liberal Party is an interesting one. They are seeking to generate a conspiracy theory where clearly the Chief Minister acted—and has been in discussions with me and Minister Fitzharris—in response to advice that had been provided to him by the ministers who have direct responsibility for this. I was sitting here reflecting on the line of questioning, and I can imagine a parallel universe where—
Ms Lawder: A point of order, Madam Speaker.
MADAM SPEAKER: Yes, Ms Lawder.
Ms Lawder: The question asked: why are there no records? It is quite a simple question. Why are there no records?
MADAM SPEAKER: Thank you, Ms Lawder.
Opposition members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Ms Lawder, can you resume your seat. Mr Wall!
MR RATTENBURY: I have nothing further to add, Madam Speaker.
MADAM SPEAKER: You have nothing further to add.
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