Page 2579 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 15 November 1989
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action over alleged cutbacks in hospital funding. But I will tell the Assembly who marketed all of that - Mr Humphries himself. He marketed it all, and no wonder they are stirred up about it, because it is the old bull in a china shop approach again - create a frenzy and feed off it, as I said earlier. The Government is committed to genuine consultation with the trade unions and staff, and that includes all health care workers.
Mr Humphries: How long is it going to take?
MR BERRY: Well, it will take as long as it takes to do it properly, Mr Humphries.
Mr Humphries: Too long.
MR BERRY: Of course it would be too long for you. You would do it in a most improper way, I am sure. The opportunity already exists for unions to be involved in a consideration of options for improving productivity. In my view, the threat of industrial action is premature, and I have written to the unions and advised them of that view. I have also suggested that they take full advantage of the opportunity to address, in an appropriate industrial relations environment, the need to achieve the most productive use of available resources.
The Government has acted quite properly in its approach to the industrial situation. The problem is merely a response to irresponsible statements by the shadow Minister for Health, Mr Humphries, who has been singing the same old tired anti-union song of the Liberal Party since May. It is just getting a little bit boring, Mr Humphries; it is about time you laid off and allowed the Government to get on with delivering the service and managing it appropriately. I do not mind if you help, but, if you run this anti-union line, attack workers' conditions and attack the hospital system and therefore the health carers, of course they will get angry.
Mr Humphries: Health conditions depend on addressing these issues, Minister. You cannot get away from that.
MR SPEAKER: Order!
MR BERRY: Who is responsible for the rorts in food services? The workers, of course, in your view.
Mr Humphries: There are rorts, that is right.
MR SPEAKER: Order! Minister Berry, please resume your seat. I just draw members' attention to standing orders 39 and 42. I will read them, because obviously you have forgotten. Standing order 39 says:
When a Member is speaking, no other Member may converse or make any noise or disturbance to interrupt the Member.
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