Opposition MP questions the Health Minister about a reported $51.8 million budget over-allocation in the North Metropolitan Area Health Service. The Minister dismisses the claims, asserting the government's commitment to a balanced health budget.

AnsweredQoN 193Legislative Assembly
Asked
3 May 2006
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

NORTH METROPOLITAN AREA HEALTH SERVICE
I refer to figures obtained through a freedom of information application that show an over-allocation of $51.8 million in the North Metropolitan Area Health Service budget. This blow-out relates only to the budget of the north metropolitan service and not to budgets of other health services in the metropolitan area. (1) When was the minister made aware of this budget over-allocation? (2) What has he done about it? (3) Where is the extra money coming from to cover this gross budget over-allocation? (4) What will be the final blow-out in the budget of the North Metropolitan Area Health Service; the opposition has had indications that it may be $70 million? (5) Which other metropolitan health services face similar budget problems? Mr J.A. McGINTY

AnswerView source ↗

(1)-(5) I will pre-empt the Treasurer a little by saying that for the third year in a row, the government will deliver a balanced budget for the health system. It is remarkable. It could never be done when the Liberal Party was in government. With three weeks of the financial year left, and short of some calamity in that time, members will find that budget discipline has been returned to the health system. For the third year in a row, the government will deliver a balanced budget. I have no idea from where the member dreamt up these figures. They do not resonate with me whatsoever.
(1) When was the minister made aware of this budget over-allocation? (2) What has he done about it? (3) Where is the extra money coming from to cover this gross budget over-allocation? (4) What will be the final blow-out in the budget of the North Metropolitan Area Health Service; the opposition has had indications that it may be $70 million? (5) Which other metropolitan health services face similar budget problems? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(5) I will pre-empt the Treasurer a little by saying that for the third year in a row, the government will deliver a balanced budget for the health system. It is remarkable. It could never be done when the Liberal Party was in government. With three weeks of the financial year left, and short of some calamity in that time, members will find that budget discipline has been returned to the health system. For the third year in a row, the government will deliver a balanced budget. I have no idea from where the member dreamt up these figures. They do not resonate with me whatsoever.
(2) What has he done about it? (3) Where is the extra money coming from to cover this gross budget over-allocation? (4) What will be the final blow-out in the budget of the North Metropolitan Area Health Service; the opposition has had indications that it may be $70 million? (5) Which other metropolitan health services face similar budget problems? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(5) I will pre-empt the Treasurer a little by saying that for the third year in a row, the government will deliver a balanced budget for the health system. It is remarkable. It could never be done when the Liberal Party was in government. With three weeks of the financial year left, and short of some calamity in that time, members will find that budget discipline has been returned to the health system. For the third year in a row, the government will deliver a balanced budget. I have no idea from where the member dreamt up these figures. They do not resonate with me whatsoever.
(3) Where is the extra money coming from to cover this gross budget over-allocation? (4) What will be the final blow-out in the budget of the North Metropolitan Area Health Service; the opposition has had indications that it may be $70 million? (5) Which other metropolitan health services face similar budget problems? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(5) I will pre-empt the Treasurer a little by saying that for the third year in a row, the government will deliver a balanced budget for the health system. It is remarkable. It could never be done when the Liberal Party was in government. With three weeks of the financial year left, and short of some calamity in that time, members will find that budget discipline has been returned to the health system. For the third year in a row, the government will deliver a balanced budget. I have no idea from where the member dreamt up these figures. They do not resonate with me whatsoever.
(4) What will be the final blow-out in the budget of the North Metropolitan Area Health Service; the opposition has had indications that it may be $70 million? (5) Which other metropolitan health services face similar budget problems? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(5) I will pre-empt the Treasurer a little by saying that for the third year in a row, the government will deliver a balanced budget for the health system. It is remarkable. It could never be done when the Liberal Party was in government. With three weeks of the financial year left, and short of some calamity in that time, members will find that budget discipline has been returned to the health system. For the third year in a row, the government will deliver a balanced budget. I have no idea from where the member dreamt up these figures. They do not resonate with me whatsoever.
(5) Which other metropolitan health services face similar budget problems? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(5) I will pre-empt the Treasurer a little by saying that for the third year in a row, the government will deliver a balanced budget for the health system. It is remarkable. It could never be done when the Liberal Party was in government. With three weeks of the financial year left, and short of some calamity in that time, members will find that budget discipline has been returned to the health system. For the third year in a row, the government will deliver a balanced budget. I have no idea from where the member dreamt up these figures. They do not resonate with me whatsoever.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(5) I will pre-empt the Treasurer a little by saying that for the third year in a row, the government will deliver a balanced budget for the health system. It is remarkable. It could never be done when the Liberal Party was in government. With three weeks of the financial year left, and short of some calamity in that time, members will find that budget discipline has been returned to the health system. For the third year in a row, the government will deliver a balanced budget. I have no idea from where the member dreamt up these figures. They do not resonate with me whatsoever.
(1)-(5) I will pre-empt the Treasurer a little by saying that for the third year in a row, the government will deliver a balanced budget for the health system. It is remarkable. It could never be done when the Liberal Party was in government. With three weeks of the financial year left, and short of some calamity in that time, members will find that budget discipline has been returned to the health system. For the third year in a row, the government will deliver a balanced budget. I have no idea from where the member dreamt up these figures. They do not resonate with me whatsoever.

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