Page 3940 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 9 November 1994
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The other alternative, of course, is that she has deliberately devised a scheme which would advantage the wealthy people in our community and disadvantage those on wages and salaries. Mrs Carnell is becoming quite famous for these off-the-top-of-the-head ideas. They are as hollow as they appear to be. If you put what Mrs Carnell has had to say about the rates together with her statement in the Canberra Weekly: "I do not believe that it is the role of government to provide services" - like health, education, rubbish removal and so on - it seems to me that Mrs Carnell has absolutely no concept whatsoever of the responsibility of a government to provide those services and to maintain an equitable taxation regime which ensures that those services can be provided.
Members interjected.
Mr Stefaniak: That was fascinating. My question without notice is directed to - guess who? - the Minister for Health.
MADAM SPEAKER: Order! I do not remember giving you the call, Mr Stefaniak. I wanted to call for order first.
Mr Stefaniak: I am sorry. I will sit down then, Madam Speaker.
MADAM SPEAKER: Now, I call Mr Stefaniak.
Calvary Hospital - Paediatric Ward
MR STEFANIAK: My question is directed to the Minister for Health. The Minister has told this Assembly that the provision of paediatric beds for non-acute cases at Calvary Hospital is, in his opinion, bad medicine. Mr Connolly has also repeatedly stated that Calvary Hospital does not support the establishment of a paediatric ward, as proposed by the ACT Liberals. I ask the Minister how he explains the following statement made by the chairman of the Calvary Hospital Board of Management at the recent AGM, on 31 October:
Our Strategic Plan dares to propose a Paediatric capacity at Calvary. Can I say, not for the first time, that mums and dads just don't understand being told that their child cannot be admitted to Calvary Public for Paediatric treatment and has to go elsewhere. There are at least some services that I believe can properly be offered at Calvary in the Paediatric area. It ought to be possible. I hope it happens soon.
Does the Minister accept that paediatric services at Calvary Hospital are now possible and are needed by the people of North Canberra?
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