Page 233 - Week 01 - Thursday, 18 February 1993
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Ms Follett: I ask that further questions be placed on the notice paper.
Hospital In-Patient Fees
MR BERRY: Madam Speaker, yesterday I said that I would have considered some information which was raised by Mrs Carnell in a question that was put to me. She asked, in a rather accusing way, about financial matters relating to health, and she talked about the ACT Government budgeting for a Liberal coalition win - a silly notion. She also said that these figures were in some way fudged. Had she put this question on notice, there would not have been a headline in it, so I will put it on the record for her information and for those members who might have been misled in some way by the tone of her question.
The figures were not fudged. The number of privately insured patients using the public hospitals has continued to decline and, as a result, in-patient receipts are expected to be below budget this financial year. This is clearly reflected in the December quarterly report. That was made very clear.
Mrs Carnell: The second six months is budgeting for an increase.
MR BERRY: Just listen. Be patient, Mrs Carnell. There is not a headline in this, I can assure you; so relax. In-patient fees also include receipts from third-party and compensable cases. Had you asked the question, you would have been informed of that. The timing of these receipts is difficult to predict as revenue is recognised only at the time of receipt. The slight improvement in the rate of decline in receipts in the second six months is because, typically, the rate of receipts is higher towards the latter part of the financial year. This has been factored into the projections for in-patient receipts for 1992-93.
I would like to reaffirm, Madam Speaker, that my answer to the prospect of a Liberal coalition win is that there is no prospect of it. I return to my original assertion. Rather than try to create the impression that something is wrong, Mrs Carnell would be better served to find out all of the facts and to understand how these figures really work. I know that they are very complex and they require a lot of work by Health to work out. It is not possible for all of us to have in our minds what those finance experts have in their heads at the time they put these figures together. A more sensible way, I think, is to ask questions on notice rather than to create the impression that something is wrong when it clearly is not.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
MR BERRY (Minister for Health, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Sport): Madam Speaker, I wish to make another short statement in relation to a matter that was raised this morning, pursuant to standing order 46.
MADAM SPEAKER: That is the one with my leave. Yes, Mr Berry.
MR BERRY: After this morning's debate on the Poisons and Drugs (Amendment) Bill, I was concerned, having done a little research into a letter which was mentioned in the course of debate. It was said that the Government or I had been spiteful - - -
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