Page 410 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 4 March 2008
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Mrs Dunne: Mentioning MRIs does not mean that the question is about MRIs. It was about radiopharmacology.
MS GALLAGHER: Mr Speaker, the question related to waiting times for things such as MRIs—
Mrs Dunne: No, it didn’t.
MS GALLAGHER: and I am saying that, because we have bought an extra MRI, there are no waiting times for MRIs.
Mrs Dunne: On a point of order, Mr Speaker—
MR SPEAKER: Order! There was a question asked about—what was the term you used?
Mrs Dunne: Radiopharmacology, as a result of the closing down of the Lucas Heights reactor.
MR SPEAKER: In your lead-up to the question, you mentioned an MRI. It is fair for the minister to comment on it.
Mrs Dunne: Especially if she can’t answer the question she was asked.
MS GALLAGHER: The answer is that the government funds a health budget and we have staff in the hospital, expertise in the hospital, to provide advice around what services and supplies are needed. That is the government’s job, and that is the job the government has done. In actual fact, with respect to the number of patients who are being seen in radiation oncology this year, there has been an increase of over 14 per cent, which means we have to increase our supplies and staff in order to meet that demand—
Mrs Burke: Are you sure that we can, because of Lucas Heights?
MR SPEAKER: Order, Mrs Burke!
MS GALLAGHER: and that is exactly what is going on. We have increased funding for cancer services every single year, Mrs Burke. Have a look in the budget papers. The government’s job—
Mrs Dunne: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: the question was from me, and at the very least the minister should be addressing you rather than members. If she wants to address somebody, it might be the person who actually asked the question.
MR SPEAKER: Order!
Mrs Burke: She can’t answer the question anyway.
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