Page 1546 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 17 May 1994
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
MR LAMONT: I thank the member for his question because it serves to show members of this Assembly the way in which you believe a Minister should conduct himself as far as public housing in the ACT is concerned. Mr Cornwell, I have some news for you. I will not be debating with you particular issues such as the one you have outlined and expect me to address today. However, in answer to that question, I will talk about the general issue. I believe that it is highly inappropriate that you or, indeed, I name particular individuals who are clients of the Housing Trust.
Mr Kaine: He did not name anybody.
MR LAMONT: Or identify them. What I am suggesting is that Housing Trust tenants have exactly the same obligation as any other residents in the ACT, whether they live in accommodation they own or accommodation they rent, or whether they live in a stand-alone house or a block of flats. The standard of behaviour and the tests which our community places upon them are consistent for all.
If at law a person is breaking the peace, then there are ways in which that should be dealt with at law. I understand that on at least one occasion such action may have occurred in relation to the general question that you have raised. That is the appropriate way to deal with that issue. As you are aware, there is a procedure for advice, for appeal and - if at the end of that process matters remain irreconcilable - for termination of lease. You can rest assured that I will be going through that process, as the previous Minister did, to make sure that not only the interests of the Housing Trust tenant but also the interests of residents in the immediate vicinity are protected.
Mr Cornwell: Including other Housing Trust tenants?
MR LAMONT: Including other Housing Trust tenants, Mr Cornwell.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Machine
MR BERRY: I am delighted to hear that the magnetic resonance imaging machine has been delivered to Woden Valley Hospital. My question is therefore directed to the Minister for Health. I know that this Assembly and the community would be extremely interested in an outline of the use of that equipment in the ACT and the benefits that will flow as a result of its delivery.
MR CONNOLLY: I thank Mr Berry for his question, because he of course was very much involved in the process of getting this magnetic resonance imager into the hospital. Woden Valley Hospital's reputation continues to grow. Only a few weeks ago it received its three-year accreditation, which of course is a higher standard of accreditation than that which has been awarded to some of the major hospitals in metropolitan Sydney. It has been a significant honour for Woden Valley Hospital to receive that high standard three-year accreditation. The $170m redevelopment is proceeding apace. The diagnostic and treatment block has been open for some months. Mr Berry, you, of course, opened that. Mrs Carnell says, "Never mind. Let us build another one", but that is another story. When I heard your statement, Mrs Carnell, I turned up my nose too.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .