Page 2527 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 13 October 1992
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MADAM SPEAKER: Excuse me, Mr Berry! Mr Connolly, I do believe that you did not say - - -
MR CONNOLLY: Madam Speaker, what I said was that during my day at the Estimates Committee the Leader of the Opposition was nowhere to be seen, and he was nowhere to be seen.
Mr Kaine: That is exactly right. I have a shadow Minister whose responsibility it is.
MR CONNOLLY: Yes, and he was nowhere to be seen either.
Mr Kaine: That is okay. If you want to say that, that is a different thing.
MADAM SPEAKER: Order! I believe that the matter has now been clarified. Would you continue, Mr Connolly.
MR CONNOLLY: On the merits of the matter, the annual report of Urban Services was not prepared in as timely a manner as either Mr Turner or I would have liked. The Chief Minister has given a clear directive to her Ministers and agencies that this be improved in the future, and we will comply with that. There are some particular problems, given the extraordinary breadth of the coverage of the Urban Services portfolio and the different accounting methodologies that apply from program to program - - -
Mr Cornwell: Indeed, Mr Connolly.
MR CONNOLLY: Mr Cornwell, who was assiduously present throughout, acknowledges that. We will do better next year. That is the reason for the problem and, as was explained to members who were present, the matter is under consideration and will be remedied.
Immunisation Program
MS ELLIS: Madam Speaker, my question is directed to the Deputy Chief Minister in his capacity as Minister for Health. Does the ACT have the highest rate of fully immunised children in Australia?
MR BERRY: Yes, it is true that, according to ABS statistics, the Australian Capital Territory has the highest percentage of children fully immunised - 64.3 per cent, according to an article in the Courier-Mail. I think it is interesting that praises are being sung in other States instead of the Canberra-bashing that is often complained about. At least the successes of our public system are well regarded in other places.
I have to say, Madam Speaker, that, whilst the public health system in the ACT can take much of the credit for this high level of immunisation amongst our community, it has not been without some pain inflicted by the Liberal Party during the lead-up to the election. I recall all of the misinformation that was spread, particularly by Mrs Carnell, about the immunisation program in our public health system. What an outrage it is for these people to scream about a very successful program in the public health system which has ensured that many of our children - - -
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