Page 1966 - Week 07 - Thursday, 23 August 2007

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MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella) (4.05): These allegations by the opposition health spokesperson of faults in the hospital system are nothing new. They are not true. We saw this happen through the estimates process. I witnessed the shadow spokesperson for health in her questions to the minister make allegations such as “why are nursing staff leaving our hospital systems en masse?” Of course, the minister replied, “Well, they are not.” So we saw these sorts of pre-emptive allegations and questions right through the estimates hearings. I am pleased to see that something is being done about it today.

In relation to Mr Stefaniak’s Kama question to the Chief Minister at estimates, the Chief Minister has responded to the committee. That will be provided shortly, I imagine. If not, it will be in the report.

MRS BURKE (Molonglo) (4.06): It is a pity that the government cannot adopt a sensitive approach to this issue. Unfortunately, it just does not suit them. Mr Gentleman’s version of the estimates hearing is another load of ridiculous rubbish. At the estimates hearing the minister also said that the morale of nurses was fine. Why have I had a steady stream of people calling me? Let us look at the evidence. The Chief Minister, being a lawyer, wants evidence.

Mr Corbell: Table it. Table the evidence.

Ms Gallagher: That is what we want to do. That is why we want to have a look at the evidence.

Mr Stanhope: We want to look at the evidence.

MR SPEAKER: Order!

MRS BURKE: How do members in this place suggest that I table verbal conversations and phone calls? I may be a lot of things to those people opposite.

Mr Barr: Write it down and submit it.

MR SPEAKER: Order!

MRS BURKE: One thing I do not do is lie, and that is what I am now being accused of in this place. The government says that the things I have been saying in media releases are wrong. It is saying that these accusations are wrong; therefore Mrs Burke must be lying or making it up or whatever.

Mr Stanhope: Table it.

Mr Corbell: Prove it.

MRS BURKE: I cannot table the information. You know that. I will have a look at what emails I have had. The phone calls I cannot table. You know I cannot, Mr Barr, and I will not make contemporaneous notes to table in this place. Simply put, Mr Speaker, to do so would identify those nurses that have called me.


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