Page 5517 - Week 17 - Wednesday, 4 December 1991

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My question is: Can the Minister advise why it appears that sufficient merging provisions were not included in initial planning and construction of the Gold Creek access road and, more recently, O'Halloran Place? Can the Minister advise what action is being taken to redress what appears to be a potential problem?

MR CONNOLLY: I was not out there for the opening on Sunday, but they were open for trading on Saturday and my wife and I went out and had a look around Federation Square. I must say that I did not form the impression that Mr Jensen seems to have formed, that there is a major problem there; but I will ask my department to have a look and report back to me. We have a number of people who are experts in the area of appropriate merging lanes and so on. I will ask them for their considered opinion.

Health Budget - Staff Reductions

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, my question is addressed to the Minister for Health. It concerns the monthly statement for October, which he released the other day. It is a fairly simple question, so he should be able to answer it. In fact, it requires a yes or no answer. Do the amounts predicted for salaries and wages for the year to date - that is, $35.4m approximately for the hospital services program and $11.6m for public and community health - take into account and reflect the projected staff cuts which the Government has announced?

MR BERRY: Of course, the detail that Mr Humphries requires - - -

Mr Humphries: It is very simple.

MR BERRY: It is not as simple as he tries to make out. If Mr Humphries wants some detailed information about those sorts of issues, it would be far better to place the question on notice, and he knows it. It is all right to put a bit of political intent into these questions; but, if you want detail about such complex issues as those sorts of costings, which were provided to Mr Humphries, I am happy to examine the detail.

In relation to the staffing cuts that Mr Humphries refers to, I have informed him that there has been a long consultation process going on with the union movement. The process of identifying the staff that must be shed to meet the budget savings will be finalised early in the new year.

Mr Humphries: We have heard all this before. This is very interesting, but it is not relevant to the question.

MR BERRY: You will find this very interesting because it is about 75 per cent complete. I thought you were interested in those sorts of figures.


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