Page 918 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 16 March 2010
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efforts—that created this problem for the ACT. Prior to that, we could have allowed the Health Services Commissioner to be the public interest assessor and fulfil that function under the law. So when that disappeared, yes, we had a problem. It was pretty late in the process, and we had to work very quickly to look at how we could stay within the IGA and deliver the system that we believe is the best for the ACT. Even though Mr Hanson does not expressly say it, the amendments that he will move will diminish the current complaints handling processes in the territory.
Mr Hanson: No.
MS GALLAGHER: They will.
Mr Hanson: No.
MS GALLAGHER: That is exactly the problem that we have been trying to fix. They will remove the role of the Health Services Commissioner in jointly considering all complaints that come. Even though she may have a focus on the systems issues as opposed to the standards issues, that is what the amendments do. Your amendments give all power to the boards and remove power from the Health Services Commissioner. That is essentially the problem that we have been trying to deal with here. The government have looked very closely at this, including our desire to implement the national law unamended, but we cannot do that without diminishing the role of the Health Services Commissioner, and we will not do that, either. That is why these amendments are so important today.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Detail stage
Clauses 1 to 10, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
Proposed new clause 10A.
MS GALLAGHER (Molonglo—Deputy Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Health and Minister for Industrial Relations) (5.08): Pursuant to standing order 182A(b), I seek leave to move an amendment to this clause; it is minor and technical in nature.
Leave granted.
MS GALLAGHER: I move amendment No 1 circulated in my name [see schedule 1 at page 934].
I table a supplementary explanatory statement on the government amendment. I do apologise for not consulting over this amendment and for bringing it so late, but the issue arose only at lunch, when I checked through the bill. I thought there was a review clause in there. This just says:
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