Page 2932 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 16 October 2007
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
what respects are the coroner’s investigation not adequate, because that is what they are saying.
This mob over here is saying, “We don’t trust the coroner to properly investigate these matters.” They say there needs to be an Auditor-General’s inquiry. Have you ever read the Coroners Act? What is the coroner’s job? The coroner’s job is to investigate, and find the reasons for, the death. That is what the coroner does. The coroner not only looks at the individual circumstances but also has the opportunity to look at systemic issues if the coroner believes that those issues are relevant. It is quite extraordinary for those opposite to somehow say that the coroner, the person with the legislative responsibility to find the reasons for the death, is not adequate. What an extraordinary admission, Mr Speaker, by those opposite!
In relation to the question asked by Mr Pratt, for as long as I have been a minister in this place, as health minister, as Attorney-General and in a range of other responsibilities, I have never seen a response from the Canberra Hospital which has disagreed with a recommendation of the coroner. We treat the coroner’s recommendations seriously in all circumstances.
In relation to a number of the matters highlighted by Coroner Doogan, that is a completely different set of circumstances. Mr Pratt knows that and seeks to draw a very long bow indeed. The coroner’s recommendations in relation to deaths at the Canberra Hospital are always treated seriously. I have no reason—
Mrs Burke: And bushfire stuff isn’t? I see.
MR CORBELL: Bushfire matters are also treated extremely seriously, Mrs Burke.
MR SPEAKER: Mrs Burke, I warn you. How many times do I have to ask you?
MR CORBELL: You will never get that level of seriousness towards you, Mrs Burke.
MR SPEAKER: Order! There are to be no conversations across the chamber. Direct your comments through the chair.
Mrs Burke: The minister should withdraw that personal imputation, Mr Speaker.
MR CORBELL: We will continue, Mr Speaker, to treat these matters seriously and to respond to them appropriately.
MR SPEAKER: A supplementary question from Mr Pratt.
MR PRATT: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Minister, will you confirm on the parliamentary record that you will implement all of the recommendations of the coroner inquiring into the death of Mr Osterberg? If not, why not?
MR CORBELL: Mr Speaker, I have not seen the results of the coroner’s inquiry. Until the coroner’s inquiry has been held and the coroner reports, it would be, I think, foolish to give an unequivocal commitment. But the commitment I can make, which is
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .