Page 946 - Week 03 - Thursday, 21 March 2019
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resolution of complaints and allegations of bullying and harassment which focuses on expedient dispute resolution.
Training programs particularly focused on resolving workplace conflicts swiftly are also being considered within all three health organisations. I thought that that was a very powerful point made in the report and by Mick Reid in his public comments about the need to find a way to address conflict and tension between people in a way that deals with it quickly, does not fob it off to HR or make it someone else’s problem but seeks to actually resolve matters within an immediate work team. I think there is something powerful in that. It is an observation that, perhaps, has been lost sight of.
There will be cases that need external involvement but I think that the point he made a number of times in his public comments, which I think is very important, is the need to better equip people to take issues up quickly and immediately. And if they can be resolved in that immediate environment, I think it is better for everybody.
What I have just outlined are some of the examples of work that is underway. It is clear that there is a lot of work still to do but we are not sitting still. The review has provided us with a clear set of recommendations and the review oversight committee is due to meet for the first time next week. With new leadership in place across the health system, I share the cautious optimism that the review has spoken of.
I also want to speak briefly on the issues of health infrastructure that Mrs Dunne has raised in her motion. Of course, culture is fundamental to good health systems but we also need to invest in high quality facilities, particularly as our population grows and the demand for health services increases.
As the Minister for Mental Health, I was pleased to see the findings of the 2018 independent review of mental health services, which recognised the excellent quality of our mental health infrastructure. Additionally, the 2018-19 budget provided $22.8 million for supported accommodation to expand the mental health system and provide more community based alternatives for mental healthcare.
I recognise that some parts of our health system are ageing and there are always opportunities to do more. At the same time we saw a brand new hospital opened at the University of Canberra last year, and the new supported accommodation houses will be coming on line soon. I do not think it is fair to assert that the government or the minister have not invested in health infrastructure.
This motion before us is a serious one and the issues it raises are worthy of serious discussion. There is no doubt that the ACT health system faces challenges but I believe that right now we have an opportunity to put in place some significant reforms that will improve our health system for the long term. I think the minister has acted to make changes where others may have sought an easier path.
For the reasons I have outlined, the Greens retain confidence in Minister Fitzharris and we will not be supporting the motion.
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