Page 3768 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 19 September 2018
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processes. This is not to discount that there are a number of unresolved issues that still need to be addressed. But it is important that we do not lose sight of the improvements that have happened at ACT Health in recent times and that we give our staff due credit for that work.
Of course, culture is something that is built up and embedded in an organisation over years, especially in an organisation of the size and complexity of ACT Health. Shifting this culture is not something that can happen overnight. It will take time. Both the Minister for Health and Wellbeing and I are committed to this process of cultural change. That is a commitment also shared by the new director-general. Leadership is fundamentally important to setting the culture of an organisation. I have full faith in a newly appointed director-general, Michael De’Ath, to lead ACT Health through this challenging period. The government’s commitment to an independent inquiry is also part of this process of cultural change.
As I said previously, I do not believe a board of inquiry is the best approach for bringing about the positive cultural change that ACT Health is already working towards. For this reason, and others that I outlined earlier, the Greens will not be supporting Mrs Dunne’s motion and the calls for a board of inquiry into ACT Health. Instead I am committed to working with Minister Fitzharris to make sure the process for the independent inquiry is rigorous, transparent and conducted with integrity.
In coming to this decision I have reflected on the best approach for ACT Health staff, for the organisation and for the Canberra community. I recognise that those who have been publicly advocating for a board of inquiry share the desire for a good process and a positive outcome. I respect their passion and commitment to improving our health system. I hope to continue to work with all health stakeholders, both through the independent inquiry process and following, it to ensure that we get the best possible outcome and that this process can lead to real and positive change.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all the hardworking staff at ACT Health for their commitment, their dedication and, frankly, their resilience, particularly over the past few months. I acknowledge that for some staff it has been a difficult period. I believe that the hard work over recent times will deliver better outcomes for the organisation, for patients and for staff in the long run.
I believe that both the independent inquiry process and the separation of ACT Health into two organisations will be important contributors to continuing to improve the performance of our health system. ACT Health is already moving towards becoming an organisation with a positive culture and the right governance structures to best support its staff and patients.
We know that there is more work to do. The government will continue to work with staff and health stakeholders to facilitate this process. The Greens will be supporting Minister Fitzharris’s amendment to the motion, as we believe this will provide the best avenue for positive change in the culture at ACT Health.
MS FITZHARRIS (Yerrabi—Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Medical and Health Research, Minister for Transport
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