Page 1898 - Week 09 - Thursday, 19 October 1989
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question time Mr Collaery alleged that I had given an undertaking that I would table in this Assembly the files in relation to the arrangements between the Government and the Revlon corporation. He then implied that I had failed to honour that undertaking. On two occasions - yesterday, Wednesday, and on Tuesday - I have spoken on this particular matter and at no stage was there any undertaking given to table any files whatsoever in this chamber. To allege that that undertaking was given is quite false, and I wish to have it corrected in the record.
There was an undertaking given on Tuesday that details would be provided, and details were provided in a very long statement at the end of question time yesterday. As part of that statement, there was reference to the deed of arrangement, referring back to Mr Collaery's question of the previous day. It was pointed out that that is a commercial-in-confidence document which I am not prepared to table here in the Assembly. However, I would be happy for any member of the Assembly to read that document on an in-confidence basis in my office. I have since had discussions with Mr Collaery and I will be showing that deed of arrangement document to Mr Collaery in my office at 5 o'clock this afternoon when the Assembly rises.
MR KAINE (Leader of the Opposition): I would like to make a personal explanation on the ground that I have been misrepresented. It seems to be the season for it. During question time - in fact, only a few moments ago - Mr Berry in response to an answer, first used my name and then went on and said that I was talking down the Canberra Hospital. Neither I nor the Liberal Party have at any time talked down the Canberra Hospital. What the Liberal Party is about and what I am about is producing for this Territory a health delivery system that meets the needs of this community and a system that they can afford. A health delivery system is one part of our delivery system that has been identified.
Mr Berry: I rise on a point of order, Mr Speaker. I think it is appropriate for Mr Kaine to explain where the misrepresentation took place, not go into Liberal Party politics.
MR SPEAKER: Please proceed briefly, Mr Kaine.
MR KAINE: I will come to that, Mr Speaker, but since we have Ministers who take seven minutes to answer simple questions when they are supposed to be on notice, I presume that I can have the same latitude. The Grants Commission identified our health delivery system as one of the two areas which is significantly overfunded as compared to any other health system in the Australian Capital Territory, yet it is the worst in terms of the delivery of service. That is the system that Mr Berry presides over, Mr Speaker. It is not the Liberals that are talking down the health delivery system in this city. It is the Labor Party that has not yet attempted to address the question of a health
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