Page 5967 - Week 14 - Wednesday, 8 December 2010
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MS GALLAGHER (Molonglo—Deputy Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Health and Minister for Industrial Relations) (3.33): I will speak to the amendment and to a few of the issues that have been raised in the debate. Other members have been saying that no information has been provided about the outcome of the investigation. That is not correct and I will go through what I said in my original address.
Individual meetings have been held with individuals and with staff involved in the disclosures. Dr Peggy Brown conducted these meetings in the week before she went on sick leave. Letters have been provided to individuals who have been involved in the disclosures. In addition, feedback has been provided to identified individuals in relation to the findings of the investigation; further action that is required, as deemed appropriate, taking into account the investigation; providing training for managers and staff in relation to adult learning principles, conflict resolution, bullying and harassment and complaints procedures; a reviewing of a range of internal processes, including meeting procedures and complaints resolution procedures; reviewing matters relating to staffing, for example, the roles and position descriptions and staffing levels.
I can see that those opposite actually are not interested in the outcomes and the actions that have been taken from the investigation, that we continue to support the planning processes for the new women’s and children’s hospital and that we build the best practice provision of maternity services in the ACT. If those opposite were interested, they would also be hearing that action has already commenced on some of the above and a plan will be developed in relation to remaining actions to ensure that all necessary measures are implemented. I am very happy to update the Assembly on the implementation plan of action that is taken as a result of this investigation.
There is, in addition, a whole process underway for the clinical services review but I do want to make it clear to the Assembly that I have very clear advice to me that the information contained in the investigation is considered confidential information. I have checked that advice and had further advice. I have asked whether copies of the report can be made available to members of the Assembly. I have asked whether confidential briefings can occur for members of the Assembly. I have asked all the questions I can. I have absolutely nothing to hide. I have no interest in hiding anything. But I am constrained by the legislation.
The opposition can do what they want and I look forward to seeing what that is. But I can honestly assure you that I have looked at this from every angle, whether there is any component of this information that can be made available to the public, other than what I have just gone through—which Mr Hanson and Mr Seselja did not listen to—other than what I have already said in the Assembly today. The advice is very clear. The information contained in the investigation is considered confidential information for the purposes of the Public Interest Disclosure Act.
As Mr Seselja, who came late to have his usual 10-minute spray on this motion, would have heard, the decision around the public interest disclosure process was taken not by me but by consideration from stakeholders and the department about how best
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