❓ Mr. Board questions Mr. McGinty, the Minister for Health, about a potential misleading statement regarding the reduction of public hospital beds since 2001. Mr. McGinty deflects, referencing the Reid report and historical bed reductions.
AnsweredQoN 143Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the minister to his response to a supplementary question I asked in the Parliament yesterday. Following his tabling of a document containing figures on public beds in Western Australia, I asked whether the number of public beds in Western Australian hospitals had reduced since 2001 under his Government. His clear answer was no. Mr J.A. McGinty: What was the question? Mr M.F. BOARD: I refer the minister to the uncorrected Hansard . I asked whether there had been a reduction in the number of public beds in Western Australia since 2001. The minister’s clear answer in the uncorrected Hansard was no. I refer now to paper No 2238, which he tabled yesterday. He is aware that the paper he tabled showed that 3 664 beds were available in 2001, 3 427 in 2003 and 3 607 in 2004. Whichever way the minister wants to slice the pineapple, the reality is that there are 60 fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Why did he mislead the Parliament yesterday in his supplementary answer? Mr J.A. McGINTY
AnswerView source ↗
I think the member for Murdoch will find that my comment was in the nature of an interjection. Mr M.F. Board: No. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Yes, it was. If he reads the uncorrected Hansard he will find it was an interjection. The Reid report tabled in the Parliament on Tuesday this week provided us with breathtaking vision for the future. I am delighted at the level of support that it has garnered throughout the entire community, particularly from the stakeholders in health. This review provides us with a unique opportunity to do something radically different in this State for health care, with community support. Members opposite should not underestimate the enormous importance attached to that very significant development. I pay tribute to the Opposition for the support it has indicated for the thrust of the Reid report. We will always argue about particular issues and I am sure interest groups will seek to protect their own patch and the like. The breadth of the Reid report provides us with a unique opportunity to meet the health care needs of the public well into the future - an opportunity that I would not underestimate. I tabled the figures in this House because we needed to know the fluctuation in the number of beds over time. One thing is crystal clear: during the 1990s, hundreds of beds were taken out of the government hospital system. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The member for Darling Range, a former Minister for Health, presided over a significant decline in the number of beds in the hospital system in this State. Mr J.H.D. Day: Try the truth. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am. How many beds did his Government take out of the hospital system when he was presiding over the debacle then called the health system in this State? Hundreds of beds were taken out. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr J.A. McGinty: What was the question? Mr M.F. BOARD: I refer the minister to the uncorrected Hansard . I asked whether there had been a reduction in the number of public beds in Western Australia since 2001. The minister’s clear answer in the uncorrected Hansard was no. I refer now to paper No 2238, which he tabled yesterday. He is aware that the paper he tabled showed that 3 664 beds were available in 2001, 3 427 in 2003 and 3 607 in 2004. Whichever way the minister wants to slice the pineapple, the reality is that there are 60 fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Why did he mislead the Parliament yesterday in his supplementary answer? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I think the member for Murdoch will find that my comment was in the nature of an interjection. Mr M.F. Board: No. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Yes, it was. If he reads the uncorrected Hansard he will find it was an interjection. The Reid report tabled in the Parliament on Tuesday this week provided us with breathtaking vision for the future. I am delighted at the level of support that it has garnered throughout the entire community, particularly from the stakeholders in health. This review provides us with a unique opportunity to do something radically different in this State for health care, with community support. Members opposite should not underestimate the enormous importance attached to that very significant development. I pay tribute to the Opposition for the support it has indicated for the thrust of the Reid report. We will always argue about particular issues and I am sure interest groups will seek to protect their own patch and the like. The breadth of the Reid report provides us with a unique opportunity to meet the health care needs of the public well into the future - an opportunity that I would not underestimate. I tabled the figures in this House because we needed to know the fluctuation in the number of beds over time. One thing is crystal clear: during the 1990s, hundreds of beds were taken out of the government hospital system. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The member for Darling Range, a former Minister for Health, presided over a significant decline in the number of beds in the hospital system in this State. Mr J.H.D. Day: Try the truth. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am. How many beds did his Government take out of the hospital system when he was presiding over the debacle then called the health system in this State? Hundreds of beds were taken out. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr M.F. BOARD: I refer the minister to the uncorrected Hansard . I asked whether there had been a reduction in the number of public beds in Western Australia since 2001. The minister’s clear answer in the uncorrected Hansard was no. I refer now to paper No 2238, which he tabled yesterday. He is aware that the paper he tabled showed that 3 664 beds were available in 2001, 3 427 in 2003 and 3 607 in 2004. Whichever way the minister wants to slice the pineapple, the reality is that there are 60 fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Why did he mislead the Parliament yesterday in his supplementary answer? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I think the member for Murdoch will find that my comment was in the nature of an interjection. Mr M.F. Board: No. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Yes, it was. If he reads the uncorrected Hansard he will find it was an interjection. The Reid report tabled in the Parliament on Tuesday this week provided us with breathtaking vision for the future. I am delighted at the level of support that it has garnered throughout the entire community, particularly from the stakeholders in health. This review provides us with a unique opportunity to do something radically different in this State for health care, with community support. Members opposite should not underestimate the enormous importance attached to that very significant development. I pay tribute to the Opposition for the support it has indicated for the thrust of the Reid report. We will always argue about particular issues and I am sure interest groups will seek to protect their own patch and the like. The breadth of the Reid report provides us with a unique opportunity to meet the health care needs of the public well into the future - an opportunity that I would not underestimate. I tabled the figures in this House because we needed to know the fluctuation in the number of beds over time. One thing is crystal clear: during the 1990s, hundreds of beds were taken out of the government hospital system. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The member for Darling Range, a former Minister for Health, presided over a significant decline in the number of beds in the hospital system in this State. Mr J.H.D. Day: Try the truth. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am. How many beds did his Government take out of the hospital system when he was presiding over the debacle then called the health system in this State? Hundreds of beds were taken out. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
I refer now to paper No 2238, which he tabled yesterday. He is aware that the paper he tabled showed that 3 664 beds were available in 2001, 3 427 in 2003 and 3 607 in 2004. Whichever way the minister wants to slice the pineapple, the reality is that there are 60 fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Why did he mislead the Parliament yesterday in his supplementary answer? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I think the member for Murdoch will find that my comment was in the nature of an interjection. Mr M.F. Board: No. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Yes, it was. If he reads the uncorrected Hansard he will find it was an interjection. The Reid report tabled in the Parliament on Tuesday this week provided us with breathtaking vision for the future. I am delighted at the level of support that it has garnered throughout the entire community, particularly from the stakeholders in health. This review provides us with a unique opportunity to do something radically different in this State for health care, with community support. Members opposite should not underestimate the enormous importance attached to that very significant development. I pay tribute to the Opposition for the support it has indicated for the thrust of the Reid report. We will always argue about particular issues and I am sure interest groups will seek to protect their own patch and the like. The breadth of the Reid report provides us with a unique opportunity to meet the health care needs of the public well into the future - an opportunity that I would not underestimate. I tabled the figures in this House because we needed to know the fluctuation in the number of beds over time. One thing is crystal clear: during the 1990s, hundreds of beds were taken out of the government hospital system. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The member for Darling Range, a former Minister for Health, presided over a significant decline in the number of beds in the hospital system in this State. Mr J.H.D. Day: Try the truth. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am. How many beds did his Government take out of the hospital system when he was presiding over the debacle then called the health system in this State? Hundreds of beds were taken out. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I think the member for Murdoch will find that my comment was in the nature of an interjection. Mr M.F. Board: No. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Yes, it was. If he reads the uncorrected Hansard he will find it was an interjection. The Reid report tabled in the Parliament on Tuesday this week provided us with breathtaking vision for the future. I am delighted at the level of support that it has garnered throughout the entire community, particularly from the stakeholders in health. This review provides us with a unique opportunity to do something radically different in this State for health care, with community support. Members opposite should not underestimate the enormous importance attached to that very significant development. I pay tribute to the Opposition for the support it has indicated for the thrust of the Reid report. We will always argue about particular issues and I am sure interest groups will seek to protect their own patch and the like. The breadth of the Reid report provides us with a unique opportunity to meet the health care needs of the public well into the future - an opportunity that I would not underestimate. I tabled the figures in this House because we needed to know the fluctuation in the number of beds over time. One thing is crystal clear: during the 1990s, hundreds of beds were taken out of the government hospital system. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The member for Darling Range, a former Minister for Health, presided over a significant decline in the number of beds in the hospital system in this State. Mr J.H.D. Day: Try the truth. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am. How many beds did his Government take out of the hospital system when he was presiding over the debacle then called the health system in this State? Hundreds of beds were taken out. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
I think the member for Murdoch will find that my comment was in the nature of an interjection. Mr M.F. Board: No. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Yes, it was. If he reads the uncorrected Hansard he will find it was an interjection. The Reid report tabled in the Parliament on Tuesday this week provided us with breathtaking vision for the future. I am delighted at the level of support that it has garnered throughout the entire community, particularly from the stakeholders in health. This review provides us with a unique opportunity to do something radically different in this State for health care, with community support. Members opposite should not underestimate the enormous importance attached to that very significant development. I pay tribute to the Opposition for the support it has indicated for the thrust of the Reid report. We will always argue about particular issues and I am sure interest groups will seek to protect their own patch and the like. The breadth of the Reid report provides us with a unique opportunity to meet the health care needs of the public well into the future - an opportunity that I would not underestimate. I tabled the figures in this House because we needed to know the fluctuation in the number of beds over time. One thing is crystal clear: during the 1990s, hundreds of beds were taken out of the government hospital system. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The member for Darling Range, a former Minister for Health, presided over a significant decline in the number of beds in the hospital system in this State. Mr J.H.D. Day: Try the truth. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am. How many beds did his Government take out of the hospital system when he was presiding over the debacle then called the health system in this State? Hundreds of beds were taken out. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr M.F. Board: No. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Yes, it was. If he reads the uncorrected Hansard he will find it was an interjection. The Reid report tabled in the Parliament on Tuesday this week provided us with breathtaking vision for the future. I am delighted at the level of support that it has garnered throughout the entire community, particularly from the stakeholders in health. This review provides us with a unique opportunity to do something radically different in this State for health care, with community support. Members opposite should not underestimate the enormous importance attached to that very significant development. I pay tribute to the Opposition for the support it has indicated for the thrust of the Reid report. We will always argue about particular issues and I am sure interest groups will seek to protect their own patch and the like. The breadth of the Reid report provides us with a unique opportunity to meet the health care needs of the public well into the future - an opportunity that I would not underestimate. I tabled the figures in this House because we needed to know the fluctuation in the number of beds over time. One thing is crystal clear: during the 1990s, hundreds of beds were taken out of the government hospital system. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The member for Darling Range, a former Minister for Health, presided over a significant decline in the number of beds in the hospital system in this State. Mr J.H.D. Day: Try the truth. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am. How many beds did his Government take out of the hospital system when he was presiding over the debacle then called the health system in this State? Hundreds of beds were taken out. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: Yes, it was. If he reads the uncorrected Hansard he will find it was an interjection. The Reid report tabled in the Parliament on Tuesday this week provided us with breathtaking vision for the future. I am delighted at the level of support that it has garnered throughout the entire community, particularly from the stakeholders in health. This review provides us with a unique opportunity to do something radically different in this State for health care, with community support. Members opposite should not underestimate the enormous importance attached to that very significant development. I pay tribute to the Opposition for the support it has indicated for the thrust of the Reid report. We will always argue about particular issues and I am sure interest groups will seek to protect their own patch and the like. The breadth of the Reid report provides us with a unique opportunity to meet the health care needs of the public well into the future - an opportunity that I would not underestimate. I tabled the figures in this House because we needed to know the fluctuation in the number of beds over time. One thing is crystal clear: during the 1990s, hundreds of beds were taken out of the government hospital system. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The member for Darling Range, a former Minister for Health, presided over a significant decline in the number of beds in the hospital system in this State. Mr J.H.D. Day: Try the truth. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am. How many beds did his Government take out of the hospital system when he was presiding over the debacle then called the health system in this State? Hundreds of beds were taken out. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
The Reid report tabled in the Parliament on Tuesday this week provided us with breathtaking vision for the future. I am delighted at the level of support that it has garnered throughout the entire community, particularly from the stakeholders in health. This review provides us with a unique opportunity to do something radically different in this State for health care, with community support. Members opposite should not underestimate the enormous importance attached to that very significant development. I pay tribute to the Opposition for the support it has indicated for the thrust of the Reid report. We will always argue about particular issues and I am sure interest groups will seek to protect their own patch and the like. The breadth of the Reid report provides us with a unique opportunity to meet the health care needs of the public well into the future - an opportunity that I would not underestimate. I tabled the figures in this House because we needed to know the fluctuation in the number of beds over time. One thing is crystal clear: during the 1990s, hundreds of beds were taken out of the government hospital system. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The member for Darling Range, a former Minister for Health, presided over a significant decline in the number of beds in the hospital system in this State. Mr J.H.D. Day: Try the truth. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am. How many beds did his Government take out of the hospital system when he was presiding over the debacle then called the health system in this State? Hundreds of beds were taken out. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Members opposite should not underestimate the enormous importance attached to that very significant development. I pay tribute to the Opposition for the support it has indicated for the thrust of the Reid report. We will always argue about particular issues and I am sure interest groups will seek to protect their own patch and the like. The breadth of the Reid report provides us with a unique opportunity to meet the health care needs of the public well into the future - an opportunity that I would not underestimate. I tabled the figures in this House because we needed to know the fluctuation in the number of beds over time. One thing is crystal clear: during the 1990s, hundreds of beds were taken out of the government hospital system. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The member for Darling Range, a former Minister for Health, presided over a significant decline in the number of beds in the hospital system in this State. Mr J.H.D. Day: Try the truth. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am. How many beds did his Government take out of the hospital system when he was presiding over the debacle then called the health system in this State? Hundreds of beds were taken out. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
I tabled the figures in this House because we needed to know the fluctuation in the number of beds over time. One thing is crystal clear: during the 1990s, hundreds of beds were taken out of the government hospital system. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The member for Darling Range, a former Minister for Health, presided over a significant decline in the number of beds in the hospital system in this State. Mr J.H.D. Day: Try the truth. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am. How many beds did his Government take out of the hospital system when he was presiding over the debacle then called the health system in this State? Hundreds of beds were taken out. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The member for Darling Range, a former Minister for Health, presided over a significant decline in the number of beds in the hospital system in this State. Mr J.H.D. Day: Try the truth. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am. How many beds did his Government take out of the hospital system when he was presiding over the debacle then called the health system in this State? Hundreds of beds were taken out. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: The member for Darling Range, a former Minister for Health, presided over a significant decline in the number of beds in the hospital system in this State. Mr J.H.D. Day: Try the truth. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am. How many beds did his Government take out of the hospital system when he was presiding over the debacle then called the health system in this State? Hundreds of beds were taken out. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr J.H.D. Day: Try the truth. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am. How many beds did his Government take out of the hospital system when he was presiding over the debacle then called the health system in this State? Hundreds of beds were taken out. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am. How many beds did his Government take out of the hospital system when he was presiding over the debacle then called the health system in this State? Hundreds of beds were taken out. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr J.A. McGinty: What was the question? Mr M.F. BOARD: I refer the minister to the uncorrected Hansard . I asked whether there had been a reduction in the number of public beds in Western Australia since 2001. The minister’s clear answer in the uncorrected Hansard was no. I refer now to paper No 2238, which he tabled yesterday. He is aware that the paper he tabled showed that 3 664 beds were available in 2001, 3 427 in 2003 and 3 607 in 2004. Whichever way the minister wants to slice the pineapple, the reality is that there are 60 fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Why did he mislead the Parliament yesterday in his supplementary answer? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I think the member for Murdoch will find that my comment was in the nature of an interjection. Mr M.F. Board: No. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Yes, it was. If he reads the uncorrected Hansard he will find it was an interjection. The Reid report tabled in the Parliament on Tuesday this week provided us with breathtaking vision for the future. I am delighted at the level of support that it has garnered throughout the entire community, particularly from the stakeholders in health. This review provides us with a unique opportunity to do something radically different in this State for health care, with community support. Members opposite should not underestimate the enormous importance attached to that very significant development. I pay tribute to the Opposition for the support it has indicated for the thrust of the Reid report. We will always argue about particular issues and I am sure interest groups will seek to protect their own patch and the like. The breadth of the Reid report provides us with a unique opportunity to meet the health care needs of the public well into the future - an opportunity that I would not underestimate. I tabled the figures in this House because we needed to know the fluctuation in the number of beds over time. One thing is crystal clear: during the 1990s, hundreds of beds were taken out of the government hospital system. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The member for Darling Range, a former Minister for Health, presided over a significant decline in the number of beds in the hospital system in this State. Mr J.H.D. Day: Try the truth. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am. How many beds did his Government take out of the hospital system when he was presiding over the debacle then called the health system in this State? Hundreds of beds were taken out. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr M.F. BOARD: I refer the minister to the uncorrected Hansard . I asked whether there had been a reduction in the number of public beds in Western Australia since 2001. The minister’s clear answer in the uncorrected Hansard was no. I refer now to paper No 2238, which he tabled yesterday. He is aware that the paper he tabled showed that 3 664 beds were available in 2001, 3 427 in 2003 and 3 607 in 2004. Whichever way the minister wants to slice the pineapple, the reality is that there are 60 fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Why did he mislead the Parliament yesterday in his supplementary answer? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I think the member for Murdoch will find that my comment was in the nature of an interjection. Mr M.F. Board: No. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Yes, it was. If he reads the uncorrected Hansard he will find it was an interjection. The Reid report tabled in the Parliament on Tuesday this week provided us with breathtaking vision for the future. I am delighted at the level of support that it has garnered throughout the entire community, particularly from the stakeholders in health. This review provides us with a unique opportunity to do something radically different in this State for health care, with community support. Members opposite should not underestimate the enormous importance attached to that very significant development. I pay tribute to the Opposition for the support it has indicated for the thrust of the Reid report. We will always argue about particular issues and I am sure interest groups will seek to protect their own patch and the like. The breadth of the Reid report provides us with a unique opportunity to meet the health care needs of the public well into the future - an opportunity that I would not underestimate. I tabled the figures in this House because we needed to know the fluctuation in the number of beds over time. One thing is crystal clear: during the 1990s, hundreds of beds were taken out of the government hospital system. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The member for Darling Range, a former Minister for Health, presided over a significant decline in the number of beds in the hospital system in this State. Mr J.H.D. Day: Try the truth. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am. How many beds did his Government take out of the hospital system when he was presiding over the debacle then called the health system in this State? Hundreds of beds were taken out. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
I refer now to paper No 2238, which he tabled yesterday. He is aware that the paper he tabled showed that 3 664 beds were available in 2001, 3 427 in 2003 and 3 607 in 2004. Whichever way the minister wants to slice the pineapple, the reality is that there are 60 fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Why did he mislead the Parliament yesterday in his supplementary answer? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I think the member for Murdoch will find that my comment was in the nature of an interjection. Mr M.F. Board: No. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Yes, it was. If he reads the uncorrected Hansard he will find it was an interjection. The Reid report tabled in the Parliament on Tuesday this week provided us with breathtaking vision for the future. I am delighted at the level of support that it has garnered throughout the entire community, particularly from the stakeholders in health. This review provides us with a unique opportunity to do something radically different in this State for health care, with community support. Members opposite should not underestimate the enormous importance attached to that very significant development. I pay tribute to the Opposition for the support it has indicated for the thrust of the Reid report. We will always argue about particular issues and I am sure interest groups will seek to protect their own patch and the like. The breadth of the Reid report provides us with a unique opportunity to meet the health care needs of the public well into the future - an opportunity that I would not underestimate. I tabled the figures in this House because we needed to know the fluctuation in the number of beds over time. One thing is crystal clear: during the 1990s, hundreds of beds were taken out of the government hospital system. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The member for Darling Range, a former Minister for Health, presided over a significant decline in the number of beds in the hospital system in this State. Mr J.H.D. Day: Try the truth. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am. How many beds did his Government take out of the hospital system when he was presiding over the debacle then called the health system in this State? Hundreds of beds were taken out. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I think the member for Murdoch will find that my comment was in the nature of an interjection. Mr M.F. Board: No. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Yes, it was. If he reads the uncorrected Hansard he will find it was an interjection. The Reid report tabled in the Parliament on Tuesday this week provided us with breathtaking vision for the future. I am delighted at the level of support that it has garnered throughout the entire community, particularly from the stakeholders in health. This review provides us with a unique opportunity to do something radically different in this State for health care, with community support. Members opposite should not underestimate the enormous importance attached to that very significant development. I pay tribute to the Opposition for the support it has indicated for the thrust of the Reid report. We will always argue about particular issues and I am sure interest groups will seek to protect their own patch and the like. The breadth of the Reid report provides us with a unique opportunity to meet the health care needs of the public well into the future - an opportunity that I would not underestimate. I tabled the figures in this House because we needed to know the fluctuation in the number of beds over time. One thing is crystal clear: during the 1990s, hundreds of beds were taken out of the government hospital system. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The member for Darling Range, a former Minister for Health, presided over a significant decline in the number of beds in the hospital system in this State. Mr J.H.D. Day: Try the truth. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am. How many beds did his Government take out of the hospital system when he was presiding over the debacle then called the health system in this State? Hundreds of beds were taken out. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
I think the member for Murdoch will find that my comment was in the nature of an interjection. Mr M.F. Board: No. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Yes, it was. If he reads the uncorrected Hansard he will find it was an interjection. The Reid report tabled in the Parliament on Tuesday this week provided us with breathtaking vision for the future. I am delighted at the level of support that it has garnered throughout the entire community, particularly from the stakeholders in health. This review provides us with a unique opportunity to do something radically different in this State for health care, with community support. Members opposite should not underestimate the enormous importance attached to that very significant development. I pay tribute to the Opposition for the support it has indicated for the thrust of the Reid report. We will always argue about particular issues and I am sure interest groups will seek to protect their own patch and the like. The breadth of the Reid report provides us with a unique opportunity to meet the health care needs of the public well into the future - an opportunity that I would not underestimate. I tabled the figures in this House because we needed to know the fluctuation in the number of beds over time. One thing is crystal clear: during the 1990s, hundreds of beds were taken out of the government hospital system. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The member for Darling Range, a former Minister for Health, presided over a significant decline in the number of beds in the hospital system in this State. Mr J.H.D. Day: Try the truth. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am. How many beds did his Government take out of the hospital system when he was presiding over the debacle then called the health system in this State? Hundreds of beds were taken out. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr M.F. Board: No. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Yes, it was. If he reads the uncorrected Hansard he will find it was an interjection. The Reid report tabled in the Parliament on Tuesday this week provided us with breathtaking vision for the future. I am delighted at the level of support that it has garnered throughout the entire community, particularly from the stakeholders in health. This review provides us with a unique opportunity to do something radically different in this State for health care, with community support. Members opposite should not underestimate the enormous importance attached to that very significant development. I pay tribute to the Opposition for the support it has indicated for the thrust of the Reid report. We will always argue about particular issues and I am sure interest groups will seek to protect their own patch and the like. The breadth of the Reid report provides us with a unique opportunity to meet the health care needs of the public well into the future - an opportunity that I would not underestimate. I tabled the figures in this House because we needed to know the fluctuation in the number of beds over time. One thing is crystal clear: during the 1990s, hundreds of beds were taken out of the government hospital system. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The member for Darling Range, a former Minister for Health, presided over a significant decline in the number of beds in the hospital system in this State. Mr J.H.D. Day: Try the truth. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am. How many beds did his Government take out of the hospital system when he was presiding over the debacle then called the health system in this State? Hundreds of beds were taken out. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: Yes, it was. If he reads the uncorrected Hansard he will find it was an interjection. The Reid report tabled in the Parliament on Tuesday this week provided us with breathtaking vision for the future. I am delighted at the level of support that it has garnered throughout the entire community, particularly from the stakeholders in health. This review provides us with a unique opportunity to do something radically different in this State for health care, with community support. Members opposite should not underestimate the enormous importance attached to that very significant development. I pay tribute to the Opposition for the support it has indicated for the thrust of the Reid report. We will always argue about particular issues and I am sure interest groups will seek to protect their own patch and the like. The breadth of the Reid report provides us with a unique opportunity to meet the health care needs of the public well into the future - an opportunity that I would not underestimate. I tabled the figures in this House because we needed to know the fluctuation in the number of beds over time. One thing is crystal clear: during the 1990s, hundreds of beds were taken out of the government hospital system. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The member for Darling Range, a former Minister for Health, presided over a significant decline in the number of beds in the hospital system in this State. Mr J.H.D. Day: Try the truth. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am. How many beds did his Government take out of the hospital system when he was presiding over the debacle then called the health system in this State? Hundreds of beds were taken out. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
The Reid report tabled in the Parliament on Tuesday this week provided us with breathtaking vision for the future. I am delighted at the level of support that it has garnered throughout the entire community, particularly from the stakeholders in health. This review provides us with a unique opportunity to do something radically different in this State for health care, with community support. Members opposite should not underestimate the enormous importance attached to that very significant development. I pay tribute to the Opposition for the support it has indicated for the thrust of the Reid report. We will always argue about particular issues and I am sure interest groups will seek to protect their own patch and the like. The breadth of the Reid report provides us with a unique opportunity to meet the health care needs of the public well into the future - an opportunity that I would not underestimate. I tabled the figures in this House because we needed to know the fluctuation in the number of beds over time. One thing is crystal clear: during the 1990s, hundreds of beds were taken out of the government hospital system. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The member for Darling Range, a former Minister for Health, presided over a significant decline in the number of beds in the hospital system in this State. Mr J.H.D. Day: Try the truth. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am. How many beds did his Government take out of the hospital system when he was presiding over the debacle then called the health system in this State? Hundreds of beds were taken out. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Members opposite should not underestimate the enormous importance attached to that very significant development. I pay tribute to the Opposition for the support it has indicated for the thrust of the Reid report. We will always argue about particular issues and I am sure interest groups will seek to protect their own patch and the like. The breadth of the Reid report provides us with a unique opportunity to meet the health care needs of the public well into the future - an opportunity that I would not underestimate. I tabled the figures in this House because we needed to know the fluctuation in the number of beds over time. One thing is crystal clear: during the 1990s, hundreds of beds were taken out of the government hospital system. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The member for Darling Range, a former Minister for Health, presided over a significant decline in the number of beds in the hospital system in this State. Mr J.H.D. Day: Try the truth. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am. How many beds did his Government take out of the hospital system when he was presiding over the debacle then called the health system in this State? Hundreds of beds were taken out. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
I tabled the figures in this House because we needed to know the fluctuation in the number of beds over time. One thing is crystal clear: during the 1990s, hundreds of beds were taken out of the government hospital system. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The member for Darling Range, a former Minister for Health, presided over a significant decline in the number of beds in the hospital system in this State. Mr J.H.D. Day: Try the truth. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am. How many beds did his Government take out of the hospital system when he was presiding over the debacle then called the health system in this State? Hundreds of beds were taken out. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The member for Darling Range, a former Minister for Health, presided over a significant decline in the number of beds in the hospital system in this State. Mr J.H.D. Day: Try the truth. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am. How many beds did his Government take out of the hospital system when he was presiding over the debacle then called the health system in this State? Hundreds of beds were taken out. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: The member for Darling Range, a former Minister for Health, presided over a significant decline in the number of beds in the hospital system in this State. Mr J.H.D. Day: Try the truth. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am. How many beds did his Government take out of the hospital system when he was presiding over the debacle then called the health system in this State? Hundreds of beds were taken out. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr J.H.D. Day: Try the truth. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am. How many beds did his Government take out of the hospital system when he was presiding over the debacle then called the health system in this State? Hundreds of beds were taken out. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am. How many beds did his Government take out of the hospital system when he was presiding over the debacle then called the health system in this State? Hundreds of beds were taken out. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: I tabled the figures; I know what they say. Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr M.F. Board: Come on! Say the words! There are fewer beds today than there were in 2001. Say the words! Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members of this House can read. The reason I tabled those figures is so that members can see how many beds there were at each hospital over that period of some 14 or 15 years in this State. What that report shows is a long-term historical decline in the number of beds in this State. That is the problem. Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr M.F. Board: Since you came into government the number of beds has decreased. Why don’t you just say it! Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is schoolboy stuff that the member is into. Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr M.F. Board: No, it is not. Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: This is an important issue. The number of beds has been declining considerably. That is what puts pressure on our emergency departments, that is what puts pressure on our capacity to perform elective surgery in this State, and that is what puts pressure on our capacity to meet the real health care needs of the public. The big change that Reid has recommended - and I think that is the reason that it is being supported throughout the community - is that that be turned around. Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr M.F. Board: The truth is going to come out, and you know it. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: The truth is out. I have tabled the document. I have tabled the number of beds. That is something members opposite never did when they were cutting beds from our hospital system in the 1990s. Let me make this point very clear. The Reid report will lead to a dramatic turnaround in that historical decline in the number of beds. It will lead to an increase in the number of beds so that we can meet those needs for the future. I say again, in direct response to the member for Murdoch, that I have tabled the figures. The figures are crystal clear in exactly what they say and do. I compliment the member for Murdoch on being able to read.
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