Page 1756 - Week 06 - Thursday, 19 May 1994
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More importantly, it is a living standard. It is changing as recommendations occur. The committee continues to change those standards and ensure that those standards are adequate to protect the health of individuals.
Madam Speaker, a shallow understanding, a simplistic understanding of the problem and the population and health solutions would dictate that we just ban smoking in restaurants. If a sensible and rational approach to the population and health problem of passive smoking - because that is what it is about - is what you are dealing with, then this committee's recommendations are appropriate. I would encourage the Minister for Health to look at the report carefully, to look at the numbers, and to come back and talk to us about it so that we can get the most sensible legislation for the people of the ACT and so that we can go beyond the politicking that has been part and parcel of the whole approach since this legislation was first tabled. Madam Speaker, it is with pleasure that I present the report, it is with pleasure that I stay associated with the report, and it is with pleasure that I look forward to the adoption of the recommendations in legislation by this Assembly.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Sitting suspended from 12.31 to 2.30 pm
QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Health Budget
MRS CARNELL: Madam Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister for Health. In September last year the previous Minister for Health presented the 1993-94 Estimates Committee with a list of broad areas from which $3m worth of savings were to be achieved in this financial year. Mr Berry told the committee that the $3m in savings would be achieved through a range of initiatives in changed work practices and altered ways of delivering support services. I am sure that the new Minister has a list of those savings initiatives. How many of those savings have been achieved? Will we reach Mr Berry's $3m savings target or will the Minister confirm, as the Arthur Andersen report found, that the Department of Health is on track for a $9m blow-out once again this year?
MR CONNOLLY: Madam Speaker, they carp and they whinge and they grizzle and they groan. It would really be refreshing to hear some constructive suggestions on health from the Opposition Leader, but I fear that we will not. All it takes is money and the building of another hospital! They were both good ones. On the first sitting day after the Arthur Andersen report had been considered by government, we tabled it. We make no secret of this. We are getting on with the job of addressing the problems in ACT Health finances which have bedevilled every government of every political persuasion in this place.
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