Page 2260 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 22 June 2011
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MR CORBELL: The land is available for public use. Even though it is a private leasehold, the fact of its location and the conditions under the lease mean that the land is used extensively by members of the public, and it is envisaged that it will be into the future. The government was approached by those opposed to the private ownership of this land to consider the issue of a land swap. The government gave that consideration but ruled that out. I have communicated that to those who have made those representations.
Quite simply, the land was leased over 30 years ago by the commonwealth government prior to self-government. The land is in private ownership and has been for an extended period of time. The lease sets out very clearly what can and cannot occur on that land. The fact is that, in relation to this particular site, there are very limited uses available for the leaseholder. They were aware of that when they purchase the lease, and they now have obligations under that lease to maintain the land in such a way, including in relation to its landscape, so it can continue to be enjoyed by those who also enjoy the formal designated Glebe Park area.
That is the government’s position. We do not think that the taxpayer should have to subsidise the leaseholder when the leaseholder knew what they were purchasing and knew they had obligations under the lease to maintain that lease and to maintain the landscape to a particular level and quality so it can be enjoyed by everyone. They knew that when they purchased the lease.
Hospitals—elective surgery
MR HANSON: My question is to the Minister for Health. Minister, on 2CC this morning a caller identified as Max stated that he was currently awaiting elective surgery and had been advised in writing that the standard waiting time for his surgery was 60 days. Max is still waiting for his surgery after 270 days. Yesterday you stated in the Assembly:
… the target to focus on for how good your elective surgery system is performing needs to be how many people are having their surgery on time …
If this is your measure of success, have you failed patients such as Max, who is still waiting after 270 days for surgery that was due over seven months ago?
MS GALLAGHER: I thank Mr Hanson for the question—question No 3 to me and the first one in order. But congratulations, Mr Hanson. I did not hear the call to 2CC. I am surprised that the Liberals are listening to 2CC. I thought they had banned themselves from 2CC.
Members interjecting—
MS GALLAGHER: Well, your leader banned you. So you can listen to the station but you cannot participate. That must be painful.
In relation to the question—is it “Mack” who is the caller?—I am certainly happy if I have more details to find out what the situation is and who the surgeon is because
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