Page 1967 - Week 07 - Thursday, 23 August 2007
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I am not embarrassed about what is happening today, but the government is. I can stand here all afternoon, if I have to, to say why I put those media releases out, why I brought it to the attention of the general public, because the minister, despite her remonstrations that she talks to people, does not. Nurses have seen her on the ward and cannot get anywhere near her. Perhaps if she had been allowed to get near them, they would have told her face to face that there was a shortage of equipment.
Mrs Dunne mentioned just a few things that nurses are running around wards for at Calvary and Canberra hospitals. I have told you. If you do not believe me, well, that is your problem, not mine. I do not have the problem. You have the problem for accusing me in this place of lying or being untruthful or saying some things that are not right.
You are now calling on me to table information in phone calls, which would be difficult. I have probably three or four emails, which I cannot table because it would identify people. I am not going to do that. Those opposite know that and they can make all they want out of this. That is fine. I stand by my allegations. I stand by the things I have said. At least I will stand up for the nurses who are running about on wards. In fact, one of our members this side has actually got direct proof of it happening.
Mr Corbell: Table it.
MRS BURKE: How can he table a missing IV tube?
Mr Stefaniak: Table the member!
MRS BURKE: Table the member, quickly. I have been described as making serious, outrageous allegations. All these words sound very well, but it is actually happening. If you do not want to believe me, that is fine. I will stand by what I have said in this place.
Mr Corbell: Live by the same standard you require of the government.
MRS BURKE: Have you woken up, Mr Corbell? Good afternoon. The government knows full well that I will not be able to table phone calls.
Mr Corbell: One rule for you, one rule for us.
MRS BURKE: No, it is not one rule for me, Mr Corbell.
MR SPEAKER: Order! Mrs Burke has the floor.
MRS BURKE: Mr Speaker, the issue is that the minister already knows.
Mr Corbell: Double standards.
MRS BURKE: She, by her own admission, knows that there have been problems.
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