Page 1451 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 9 May 2017
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How long has ACT Health known that there were extreme and high risks associated with the electrical systems and the main switchboard at the Canberra Hospital?
MS FITZHARRIS: I thank Ms Lee for the question. The particular commentary in last year’s estimates hearings relate to a piece of work that was undertaken, I believe, in late 2015, which was an assessment of infrastructure at Canberra Hospital. That work then informed the subsequent budget initiative in last year’s budget to upgrade and replace the main electrical switchboard at Canberra Hospital, the $23 million project which I outlined this morning and was referenced in my previous answer. That work has subsequently gotten underway and will continue until mid-2019.
MS LEE: Minister, were you and/or your predecessor, Mr Corbell, briefed about the extreme and high risks associated with the electrical systems and the main switchboard at the Canberra Hospital?
MS FITZHARRIS: I cannot speak for former Minister Corbell other than to note, of course, that he was the minister responsible for bringing forward and announcing the $23 million upgrade to electrical systems at the hospital, which was part of a broader $90 million health infrastructure upgrade that was funded in last year’s budget.
Subsequent to that there has been ongoing work to implement that $90 million initiative and the $23 million for upgrading the electrical switchboard system. That work initially went out to tender in September last year. The tender was then subsequently signed in April this year. There have also been a design consultant and a head contractor appointed in April this year.
MRS DUNNE: Minister, why did ACT Health take so long to act on the problems with the Canberra Hospital’s electrical system and switchboard?
MS FITZHARRIS: I do not believe they did take that long.
Education—vocational
MS CODY: My question is to the Minister for Higher Education, Research and Training.
Members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Wait a minute. Can members please be quiet so the minister can hear Ms Cody.
MS CODY: Can the minister outline the steps the government is taking to improve access to the vocational education and training sector?
MS FITZHARRIS: I thank Ms Cody very much for her question and for her deep and longstanding interest in the vocational education and training sector. The government is proud of the quality of our vocational education and training sector
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