Page 2434 - Week 06 - Thursday, 24 June 2010

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MS GALLAGHER: I have spoken to my department a number of times about information that they have given me around the management of the waiting lists—the waiting lists at both hospitals.

Minister for Health

Motion of censure

MR HANSON (Molonglo) (2.57): I seek leave to move a substantive motion, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: Do you want to wait until the end of question time, Mr Hanson?

MR HANSON: I seek leave to move a motion to censure the Minister for Health for ongoing mismanagement of the health portfolio and for having misled the community and this Assembly in relation to ACT Health’s practice of requesting doctors to downgrade urgent elective surgery patients.

Leave not granted.

Standing and temporary orders—suspension

MR SMYTH (Brindabella) (2.58): Mr Speaker, I move:

That so much of the standing and temporary orders be suspended as would prevent Mr Hanson from moving a motion of censure of the Minister for Health.

MR SPEAKER: The question is that standing and temporary orders be suspended.

MR SMYTH: It has always been the form of this place that substantive motions of this nature are moved on the spot. We are often told by those opposite that if we have allegations that we want to make or if we feel that the minister has misled or not lived up to her ministerial responsibilities it is appropriate to move the substantive motion. We are moving the substantive motion.

It is important that these issues are addressed and it is important, when a member rises to call into question the conduct of a minister, that he be able to put his case and that the minister be able to respond. It is therefore inappropriate to block leave on this matter. If we are going to vary the way in which we deal with substantive matters, perhaps we should write the standing orders to set aside time for it or something like that.

The process normally is that, when serious matters are afoot, they are dealt with expeditiously and they are dealt with when the member moves the motion. In that regard, I suggest that we suspend standing orders and get on with the motion.

Question put:

That Mr Smyth’s motion be agreed to.


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