Page 4630 - Week 15 - Wednesday, 15 December 1993
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a decisive end to the dispute by way of those contracts. If they were to sign the contracts, that would end the matter, one would hope, forever, because they include dispute settling processes, which would ensure that there would be no more of this fuss and bother again.
As far as the deed is concerned, this step can be described as a big hammer. It is an unusual step to take. It is not one that we take lightly; it is one that we have to consider very closely, if the decision has to be that we move down that path. We are very concerned that the AMA is using that very old deed that was signed with the Commonwealth as a bit of a sideshow to distract attention from the real issue. All of us agree, I think, that the real issue is getting people back to work. We have to ensure that the AMA and the VMOs are very clear on the Government's position in relation to this matter.
We are going to go down the path of a sensible contract arrangement which leads to a return to work and a resolution of the dispute. That is our aim, and we want it to be a fair and orderly approach to the matter. We have offered that. The chaos in the health system created by this strike action is extremely unhelpful. It is not only unhelpful for those poor patients who are upset by it but also unhelpful for the doctors themselves, because it is their profession that has been dragged down by this dispute. It took them a long time to recover, and I suggest that some never did, from the dispute in 1987. It is a weighty issue as far as the community is concerned; it is a weighty issue for the Government; but it is, most importantly, a weighty issue for the doctors.
I am very keen to get the matter resolved, but we have to make it clear that, from this Assembly's point of view, there are certain decisive actions that we are prepared to take. Although they are unprecedented in many ways, we are prepared to do this because of the very different industrial action we are suffering here in the ACT from what applies elsewhere, because of the different frameworks which cover settlement of those disputes. The approach that has been taken by the Government addresses the key issue, which is the need to get our skilful VMOs back into the hospital system, where we all know they want to work. The AMA has not been helpful in this matter. They have taken an extremely militant approach to the whole matter. They have been most uncaring of the ACT population.
Mr Kaine: So has the Minister.
MR BERRY: If it were as distressing for them as it is for the Government, Mr Kaine, they would not be getting much sleep, I can tell you. This is a very serious issue, but they have to accept that there is a way out of it. It is an honourable way out, it is a fair way out, it is an orderly way out, and it will give them a result they can live with.
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS
MADAM SPEAKER: Members, I would like to inform you of the presence in the gallery of a delegation from Tonga, led by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the Hon. Fusitu, MP. On behalf of all members, I bid you a warm welcome.
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