Page 2967 - Week 07 - Thursday, 30 June 2011
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Question resolved in the affirmative.
Leave of absence
Motion (by Mr Corbell) agreed to:
That leave of absence be granted for all Members from the conclusion of this sitting until 15 August 2011.
Standing and temporary orders—suspension
Motion (by Mr Corbell) agreed to, with the concurrence of an absolute majority:
That standing order 76 be suspended for the remainder of this sitting.
West Belconnen Health Co-op
Statement by minister
MS GALLAGHER (Molonglo—Chief Minister, Minister for Health, Minister for Industrial Relations and Treasurer), by leave: I would like to thank members for their support to give this statement today. It was in response to the resolution of the Legislative Assembly in October 2010, which requested that the government provide information and support to community groups interested in establishing health cooperatives, explore opportunities for providing funding assistance and report back to the Assembly by the last sitting day in June 2011.
The motion acknowledged the progress made by the West Belconnen Health Co-op in establishing a local medical health service which has attracted a number of general practitioners to the west Belconnen area. The amended motion called on the government to provide information and support to community groups interested in establishing similar community-based models in other parts of Canberra where there are shortages of GP services and bulk-billing, particularly Tuggeranong and Gungahlin, including the provision of funding; explore opportunities for providing funding assistance to those community groups that are interested in establishing a co-op and wish to undertake a feasibility study similar to what was undertaken by the West Belconnen Health Co-op; and report to the Assembly by the last sitting day in June.
Mrs Dunne’s full motion acknowledged the Standing Committee on Health, Community and Social Services report No 2, Access to primary health care services, which recommended that the government monitor the progress of the West Belconnen Health Co-op and, if it proves to be successful, provide information and support to community groups interested in establishing a health cooperative or a similar model in their local community.
The government’s response noted the recommendation and indicated that the ACT government does not routinely monitor the progress of private organisations. However, the government did indicate that it would continue to work with the West Belconnen
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