Page 3046 - Week 08 - Thursday, 16 August 2018
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The minister talks in her statement about how she wants to “transform” maternity services. It is one of those words that the government likes to use a lot: everything is “transformative”. But she does not say that she wants to transform them for the better, and I think that is what we should be about.
I also note that the minister has again spoken about the budget appropriation for the expansion of the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children. It was the subject of questions yesterday, and the minister has admitted that the time for completion has blown out to 2022. But I also put on the record here today, and remind members, that the election commitment from Minister Fitzharris and the Chief Minister was for the extension of the women’s and children’s hospital to be completed in 2019. If you go back and read the ALP’s election commitment, that is the time frame. It is now extended to 2022, so there is a three-year blowout in the time frame. The minister has not accounted for that, except to say, “The planning is very difficult.”
I welcome the statement today, but I also note that it is not all rainbows and unicorns, as the minister would have us believe. There are issues that need to be addressed in maternity services. I note my motion in relation to having a full inquiry into maternity services. I hope that the health committee will be able to see its way clear to making an announcement in that regard in the near future. I thank the minister for the statement today and assure members of this place, and members of the community, that I will continue to be vigilant in relation to the provision of maternity services.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Civil Law (Wrongs) (Child Abuse Claims Against Unincorporated Bodies) Amendment Bill 2018
Mr Ramsay, pursuant to notice, presented the bill, its explanatory statement and a Human Rights Act compatibility statement.
Title read by Clerk.
MR RAMSAY (Ginninderra—Attorney-General, Minister for Regulatory Services, Minister for the Arts and Community Events and Minister for Veterans and Seniors) (10.54): I move:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
I am pleased to introduce the Civil Law (Wrongs) (Child Abuse Claims Against Unincorporated Bodies) Amendment Bill 2018 today. This bill is part of a suite of reforms to make civil litigation a more effective means of providing justice for survivors of institutional child abuse. The ACT government acknowledges the nature and impact of the abuse suffered by victims of child abuse. Many survivors of child abuse suffer long-lasting and severe injuries that can affect them for the rest of their lives.
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