Page 1015 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 28 March 1990
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Hospital Redevelopment
MR JENSEN: My question is to the Minister for Health, Education and the Arts, Mr Humphries. I ask the Minister whether Mr Berry accurately reflects the proposal to redevelop ACT hospitals when he asserts that it will result in the demolition of the comprehensive public health system in the Australian Capital Territory?
MR HUMPHRIES: I thank Mr Jensen for his question, which gives me the chance to highlight how badly - - -
Mr Berry: Mr Speaker, I raise a point of order. I will have to seek your assistance in relation to the appropriate standing order for this one, but this matter is being raised as a matter of public importance this afternoon. Ministerial statements in question time on matters such as this would be more appropriately dealt with in this afternoon's debate.
MR SPEAKER: Thank you for that observation.
MR HUMPHRIES: On that point of order, Mr Speaker, this is not a ministerial statement. I am not going to announce any new Government policy. Secondly, there is no standing order that precludes me pre-empting or discussing future debate.
MR SPEAKER: Please proceed, Mr Humphries. Objection overruled.
MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, my statement yesterday certainly outlined an extensive program of public hospital redevelopment in the ACT which will improve the quality, efficiency and range of services offered in our hospitals. As a result of those changes, the public hospital system will be dramatically improved with the establishment of a principal hospital. A principal hospital involves collocating all major specialties and providing a high level of acute services that are necessary for the residents of Canberra and the surrounding regions which we also serve. A hospital such as this, will improve the quality of services by providing increased opportunities and encouragement for teaching, research, peer review and quality assurance processes. I think that that position is strongly supported by most interested groups and particularly the medical profession in this community. A range of new services will be introduced and I outlined those yesterday - a birthing centre - - -
Mr Berry: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I refer to standing order 59 which states:
A Member may not anticipate the discussion of any subject which appears on the Notice Paper.
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