Page 4123 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 22 October 2019

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MADAM SPEAKER: A point of order, Mr Coe?

Mr Coe: Madam Speaker, on relevance, the minister is speaking about current resources. The question that was put by Mrs Kikkert was: what extra resources will you commit to make available? He has not answered that.

MADAM SPEAKER: The minister still has over a minute.

MR RATTENBURY: I have given my answer.

MR HANSON: Minister, by removing the positive defence that was previously available under ACT law, have you in effect recriminalised cannabis and escalated the war on drugs?

MR RATTENBURY: I do not believe so.

Canberra Hospital—security

MR MILLIGAN: My question is to the Minister for Health. On 23 March this year, a nurse coming out of night shift was stabbed while getting into her car at the Canberra Hospital. Police stated that on that occasion a duress alarm was activated. Are duress alarms available to nurses who are in the car park on Yamba Drive over the road from the hospital?

MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I thank Mr Milligan for the question. I know that there was some consideration given to various matters in response to this incident. I do not have a specific answer to the question that Mr Milligan has asked; so I will take that on notice. But we are certainly conscious of the need to ensure the security of staff at the Canberra Hospital.

My understanding is that additional security has been provided to people who are going to that car park, particularly in the evening in the dark. An accompanying security officer is available to go with people to that car park if that is required. I will take on notice that part of the question in relation to duress alarms off the site of the hospital building itself, and come back to the Assembly.

MR MILLIGAN: Do all nurses coming off evening or night shifts have access to the duress alarms and, if so, is it with them on their person or is there a location set on the hospital grounds?

MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I will take the detail of that question on notice.

MRS DUNNE: Minister, are all of the duress alarms at the hospital accounted for and in working order? Can you inform the Assembly whether staff who are escorted to the car park are escorted directly, all the way to their car, or just to the perimeter of the car park?


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