Page 2260 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 1 August 2017
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was endorsed by ministers around the country only in June this year and released publicly just a few weeks ago.
There is considerable work underway. There are many people within ACT Health and many community-based organisations that continue to deliver alcohol and drug services. I note that in last year’s budget the then Minister for Health announced significant investment in our drug services in the community. All of that work continues. I am continuing to talk to stakeholders both within ACT Health and within the community sector about progressing the drug and alcohol strategy.
MR WALL: Minister, why have you or your directorate not completed this strategy, given the rapidly growing problem with addiction to substances such as methamphetamine not just in the ACT but also across Australia?
MS FITZHARRIS: I refer to my previous answer to answer Mr Wall’s subsequent question.
MRS JONES: Minister, why has the committee that is meant to oversee the policy not met this year?
MS FITZHARRIS: I thank Mrs Jones for the supplementary question. A range of stakeholders involved in drug and alcohol service delivery continue to meet in a number of different ways. I am unclear why they have not met this year. So I will take that question specifically on notice.
Canberra Hospital—kitchen equipment
MR DOSZPOT: My question is to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. Minister, on 6 July 2017, ABC radio news broadcast a story claiming that the Health Services Union had called on the Canberra Hospital to install equipment in its kitchen that was delivered almost five years ago. This equipment would create efficiencies in food storage. In the report, the Health Services Union noted that a number of staff have been on casual or temporary contracts during that five-year period while they waited for the equipment to be installed and that this is causing uncertainty. Minister, why has new equipment lain idle for five years after it has been delivered?
MS FITZHARRIS: I thank Mr Doszpot for the question. I will take the question on notice and provide further advice to the Assembly.
MR DOSZPOT: Minister, why have you allowed employment uncertainty for hospital staff to continue for five years because you have failed to install new equipment?
MS FITZHARRIS: I will take that question on notice as well. I also do not think some of the assumptions made in Mr Doszpot’s question are correct but I will provide further information to the Assembly.
MRS JONES: Minister, is any other equipment lying idle and uninstalled at the hospital, and is any other equipment in such a state causing uncertainty for staff?
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