Page 1897 - Week 09 - Thursday, 19 October 1989
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statements which tend to talk down our hospital system, which, of course, is well regarded by the people of Canberra. I must say the snigger from the Liberal bench is, of course, indicative of the talking down that they have done on the hospital system in the past.
Mr Kaine: What you heard was an echo from the Canberra Hospital, Mr Berry.
MR BERRY: Well, I am not quite sure that Mr Kaine has directed that much of his attention to the Canberra Hospital but I am sure that those people who want to keep the hospital open do it for some good reason, and it is because perhaps they have some regard for the system and are not prepared to talk it down like members of the Liberal Party are.
In terms of the HEF matter at the Woden Valley Hospital, I understand, or it is alleged, that 10 members of the Hospital Employees Federation have resigned from their union. I must say that that is something that is up to the members of the union and, provided that they do it in accordance with their rules, I suspect that there is nothing in that. In terms of the alleged intimidation and violence at the hospital - and it is a serious management matter, not a tourism matter; it is not something to be laughed at - management of the hospital have indicated that, if there is evidence which requires the attention of the police, the matter will be reported to the police, and I suspect that the police would deal with it appropriately.
In relation to the hospital system and the issue of industrial relations, industrial relations can at times develop into a situation of conflict and, as is the policy of the Labor Government, this will be dealt with in the normal management way. Where it cannot be settled between management and unions it will be settled in the Industrial Relations Commission appropriately.
Personal Explanations
MR MOORE: Mr Speaker, I claim to have been misrepresented. In one of his answers Mr Whalan pointed to the Residents Rally. I took this personally. I might point out that this is the first time I have claimed to be misrepresented. He suggested that we were anti-development, and that means that I am personally anti-development. On the contrary, Mr Speaker, we appreciate the developments such as the Revlon one he talked about and the National Aquarium, but we do expect that there be some public participation in some form of environmental comment. That is not anti-development. That makes the Canberra community aware that development can go on and can be encouraged in an open and honest way.
MR WHALAN (Minister for Industry, Employment and Education): I wish to make a personal explanation. During
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