Page 3105 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 20 September 1994
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What the Government has been able to do - what has occurred over a period of years, because this is a project that has been embarked upon for some time - is to put at Woden a very high-quality coronary care and cardiac unit and to design it. Where is it in the hospital, Madam Speaker? It is on level 3 - the closest unit in the hospital to intensive care; the closest unit in the hospital to the theatres; and with space that is designed and dedicated to be used in the next phase for a cardio-thoracic unit. It is all in hand, but "Promise them more" Kate, "Whinge and carp and criticise" Carnell, never wants to know about the solid progress that is being made at Woden to turn what has been a building site into one of Australia's finest hospitals.
MR BERRY: Madam Speaker, I have a supplementary question. The community is subjected to this constant cacophony of ill will about our public hospital system. The cockies on the fence over here are always screeching about it. Does the Minister think that we can ever hope to quieten Mrs Carnell down on this issue, with this constant flow of good news stories?
MR CONNOLLY: Madam Speaker, basically, it is a question of whether you think the public of Canberra who are interested in the health issue are serious people who look at the issues seriously, or whether you think the public of Canberra are fools. If you think the public of Canberra are fools, you will treat them like Mrs Carnell does, namely, pledge to slash the budget by over $30m, or 13 per cent, but at the same time promise them everything - a cardio-thoracic unit, a paediatrics unit, more beds, more this, more that.
"Wait, there is more. I will throw in a set of steak knives", Mrs Carnell promises. Promises, promises; but the bottom line of the Liberals - as it is with the Liberals in every State in Australia - is to slash spending on health by over $30m. Anybody who takes a serious interest in public health in this Territory and who thinks that they are going to have their lot improved by having $30m slashed from the budget should come and see me, the Government, if that is what people want. If the public want us to slash $30m we will slash $30m, but they do not. They want better services; they want a continuing commitment to public health, which is not what you will get from these opportunists, these shallow, facile individuals opposite. You will get promises, promises, promises, with a set of steak knives thrown in.
Health Services
MR HUMPHRIES: My question is also to the Minister for Health. The Minister told the Assembly last week, after a question from Mrs Carnell - "that silly woman", as you put it - relating to a case of mismanagement - - -
Mr Connolly: No, I did not. I said "silly person".
MR HUMPHRIES: Do not try to cover up. It was relating to a case of mismanagement in our health system. You said, "Mrs Carnell, running people's individual health matters in the Assembly is fine ethical politics!". Has the Minister's memory been so taxed by the cares of his office that he has forgotten about the many questions raised about individual
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