Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 5 Hansard (15 May) . . Page.. 1461 ..

MR WOOD (continuing):

(3) the foregoing provisions of this resolution have effect notwithstanding anything contained in the standing orders.".

Mr Speaker, it is necessary to do this, as the committee is not yet in a position to report. Indeed, we begin our public hearings shortly.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Debate resumed from 8 May 1997, on motion by Mr Berry, as amended.

MS TUCKER (11.15): The Greens will be supporting the appointment of this select committee to look at the implications for the public health system of increasing provision of private health facilities. I think it is a critical issue for the community not just in the ACT but Australia-wide. There are obviously worrying trends in the United States and the United Kingdom, where there is definitely a two-tiered health system and if you can afford to pay for health treatment you receive treatment and if you cannot you may not receive treatment at all or, if you do, it may not be of the same standard as those who can pay will receive.

I am not saying that this is what is happening in the ACT, but what I am saying and agreeing with Mr Berry on is that it is an important issue. We need to look at it. It would be a good opportunity for a select committee to look at what is happening in other places and what the implications have been when there have been a lot of increased private facilities. It would also give the community an opportunity to talk to members of this Assembly about this matter. I have received correspondence on this issue in my time here. As it is an issue that I have not been able to give my full attention to before, I welcome the opportunity to do that on this select committee.

MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General) (11.17): Mr Speaker, I understand that an amendment is being circulated by Mrs Carnell, but I want to make some comments. I need leave to speak, because I have already spoken.

Leave granted.

MR HUMPHRIES: I spoke to an amendment I moved previously, which I think has now been incorporated into the motion. I want to make a general comment about the overall motion itself. I pick up a comment I made on the last sitting Thursday. The Assembly already has a large number of inquiries going on at the moment. A further reference to a further committee, in this case a select committee, is likely to be seen in one of two ways. There are wide-ranging issues in this motion. The committee is being asked to report on a wide range of matters, which is likely to result in much time being consumed for a purpose which is not immediately clear, if one takes a charitable view of this motion, which - - -

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .