Page 1450 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 26 September 1989
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But one thing I would like to say is that a centre of excellence in Sydney, the Westmead Hospital, is located nowhere near Sydney University, for example, and I am sure that the Westmead Hospital still provides services of an excellent nature to the community which it serves.
The location of the hospital has been raised in the debate - a rather emotional debate, I might add - and the preference to keep the Royal Canberra Hospital open at any cost. I think that has been the position of some of the people who have argued for the Royal Canberra Hospital, but they have argued that it should be kept open in at least its current grandeur at any cost. I think that debate is very misleading to the community because it ignores some of the very important issues which are contained in the steering committee report.
I note that Katharine West of the Residents Rally party has been a great supporter of keeping the hospital open. One of the most disturbing features of the argument that has been raised in the debate by Ms West is the issue of the sale of the site. I think that was raised by a few other people as well, more to whip up a bit of emotional support around the hospital. The old logic of "All's fair", I suppose, comes up in these issues. But I think that it is irresponsible for political parties in this Assembly to involve themselves in those sorts of debates when that has been the basis of the initiators of the support. I heard Ms West outside the Assembly when I think she made it clear that she was a member of the Residents Rally party on that day - - -
Mr Collaery: She still is. Anyone can join.
MR BERRY: The fact of the matter is that the Residents Rally party has now located itself with the basis of the argument about the sale of the site. I think all the members of the Residents Rally party and every other party in this Assembly - - -
Mr Moore: That is not true, Wayne. Come on. It is more misrepresentation, and you know it.
MR SPEAKER: Order!
MR BERRY: I will tell you what is true, Mr Moore: my very clear statements to the community and at meetings where you have attended and other members of your party have attended, including Ms West, where I have said that the site is not for sale. All that I would like you to do is to assist me in spreading the message.
Mr Moore: Did I not support you on that at that very meeting?
MR BERRY: Well, I am thankful for your support, but, as I say to you, it is inappropriate, I think, for political parties to align themselves in that way. I think the
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