❓ A parliamentary question regarding the selection of SERCO Australia as a preferred service provider for Fiona Stanley Hospital, raising concerns about past financial misconduct and government oversight. The Minister's response defends SERCO's reputation and accuses the opposition of irresponsible campaigning.
AnsweredQoN 710Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Fiona Stanley Hospital — Preferred Services Provider — SERCO AUSTRALIA
I refer the minister to a 2006 report by the United Kingdom Parliament’s Committee of Public Accounts in which the committee found that a Serco consortium fleeced taxpayers of millions of pounds in the construction of a UK hospital. A member interjected. Mr R.H. COOK : It is the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals. (1) Has the minister read the report and will he table it? (2) Were the findings considered by the state government before nominating Serco Australia as the preferred tenderer to provide more than 30 privatised services at Fiona Stanley Hospital? (3) What steps has the Barnett government taken to ensure that Serco, one of the world’s largest companies, does not fleece Western Australian taxpayers? Dr K.D. HAMES
I refer the minister to a 2006 report by the United Kingdom Parliament’s Committee of Public Accounts in which the committee found that a Serco consortium fleeced taxpayers of millions of pounds in the construction of a UK hospital. A member interjected. Mr R.H. COOK : It is the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals. (1) Has the minister read the report and will he table it? (2) Were the findings considered by the state government before nominating Serco Australia as the preferred tenderer to provide more than 30 privatised services at Fiona Stanley Hospital? (3) What steps has the Barnett government taken to ensure that Serco, one of the world’s largest companies, does not fleece Western Australian taxpayers? Dr K.D. HAMES
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) I would like to hear the member say that outside the chamber. Serco Australia is an extremely reputable company throughout the world. It will do an excellent job. I cannot work out exactly what the relationship is between the missos and the Labor Party, and particularly with the member opposite. The missos are acting extremely irresponsibly in their public campaign against Serco. I have seen in their proposal that they are calling Fiona Stanley Hospital, which will be one of the landmark hospitals in this state, a prison because Serco runs the prison system and the detention centre system in Australia. It is an international company that manages a large number of hospitals in England. One would never know that from the advertisements that have been released. With regard to the particular case that the member has raised, I have not read the report but a report referring to those issues has been given to me. Serco was a five per cent holder in the company responsible for developing our hospital. The explanation was provided to me only today. I do not have those details in my head, but I am more than happy to provide to the member the report that I have that in effect exonerated Serco from the allegations that have been made.
A member interjected. Mr R.H. COOK : It is the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals. (1) Has the minister read the report and will he table it? (2) Were the findings considered by the state government before nominating Serco Australia as the preferred tenderer to provide more than 30 privatised services at Fiona Stanley Hospital? (3) What steps has the Barnett government taken to ensure that Serco, one of the world’s largest companies, does not fleece Western Australian taxpayers? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)–(3) I would like to hear the member say that outside the chamber. Serco Australia is an extremely reputable company throughout the world. It will do an excellent job. I cannot work out exactly what the relationship is between the missos and the Labor Party, and particularly with the member opposite. The missos are acting extremely irresponsibly in their public campaign against Serco. I have seen in their proposal that they are calling Fiona Stanley Hospital, which will be one of the landmark hospitals in this state, a prison because Serco runs the prison system and the detention centre system in Australia. It is an international company that manages a large number of hospitals in England. One would never know that from the advertisements that have been released. With regard to the particular case that the member has raised, I have not read the report but a report referring to those issues has been given to me. Serco was a five per cent holder in the company responsible for developing our hospital. The explanation was provided to me only today. I do not have those details in my head, but I am more than happy to provide to the member the report that I have that in effect exonerated Serco from the allegations that have been made.
Mr R.H. COOK : It is the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals. (1) Has the minister read the report and will he table it? (2) Were the findings considered by the state government before nominating Serco Australia as the preferred tenderer to provide more than 30 privatised services at Fiona Stanley Hospital? (3) What steps has the Barnett government taken to ensure that Serco, one of the world’s largest companies, does not fleece Western Australian taxpayers? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)–(3) I would like to hear the member say that outside the chamber. Serco Australia is an extremely reputable company throughout the world. It will do an excellent job. I cannot work out exactly what the relationship is between the missos and the Labor Party, and particularly with the member opposite. The missos are acting extremely irresponsibly in their public campaign against Serco. I have seen in their proposal that they are calling Fiona Stanley Hospital, which will be one of the landmark hospitals in this state, a prison because Serco runs the prison system and the detention centre system in Australia. It is an international company that manages a large number of hospitals in England. One would never know that from the advertisements that have been released. With regard to the particular case that the member has raised, I have not read the report but a report referring to those issues has been given to me. Serco was a five per cent holder in the company responsible for developing our hospital. The explanation was provided to me only today. I do not have those details in my head, but I am more than happy to provide to the member the report that I have that in effect exonerated Serco from the allegations that have been made.
(1) Has the minister read the report and will he table it? (2) Were the findings considered by the state government before nominating Serco Australia as the preferred tenderer to provide more than 30 privatised services at Fiona Stanley Hospital? (3) What steps has the Barnett government taken to ensure that Serco, one of the world’s largest companies, does not fleece Western Australian taxpayers? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)–(3) I would like to hear the member say that outside the chamber. Serco Australia is an extremely reputable company throughout the world. It will do an excellent job. I cannot work out exactly what the relationship is between the missos and the Labor Party, and particularly with the member opposite. The missos are acting extremely irresponsibly in their public campaign against Serco. I have seen in their proposal that they are calling Fiona Stanley Hospital, which will be one of the landmark hospitals in this state, a prison because Serco runs the prison system and the detention centre system in Australia. It is an international company that manages a large number of hospitals in England. One would never know that from the advertisements that have been released. With regard to the particular case that the member has raised, I have not read the report but a report referring to those issues has been given to me. Serco was a five per cent holder in the company responsible for developing our hospital. The explanation was provided to me only today. I do not have those details in my head, but I am more than happy to provide to the member the report that I have that in effect exonerated Serco from the allegations that have been made.
(2) Were the findings considered by the state government before nominating Serco Australia as the preferred tenderer to provide more than 30 privatised services at Fiona Stanley Hospital? (3) What steps has the Barnett government taken to ensure that Serco, one of the world’s largest companies, does not fleece Western Australian taxpayers? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)–(3) I would like to hear the member say that outside the chamber. Serco Australia is an extremely reputable company throughout the world. It will do an excellent job. I cannot work out exactly what the relationship is between the missos and the Labor Party, and particularly with the member opposite. The missos are acting extremely irresponsibly in their public campaign against Serco. I have seen in their proposal that they are calling Fiona Stanley Hospital, which will be one of the landmark hospitals in this state, a prison because Serco runs the prison system and the detention centre system in Australia. It is an international company that manages a large number of hospitals in England. One would never know that from the advertisements that have been released. With regard to the particular case that the member has raised, I have not read the report but a report referring to those issues has been given to me. Serco was a five per cent holder in the company responsible for developing our hospital. The explanation was provided to me only today. I do not have those details in my head, but I am more than happy to provide to the member the report that I have that in effect exonerated Serco from the allegations that have been made.
(3) What steps has the Barnett government taken to ensure that Serco, one of the world’s largest companies, does not fleece Western Australian taxpayers? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)–(3) I would like to hear the member say that outside the chamber. Serco Australia is an extremely reputable company throughout the world. It will do an excellent job. I cannot work out exactly what the relationship is between the missos and the Labor Party, and particularly with the member opposite. The missos are acting extremely irresponsibly in their public campaign against Serco. I have seen in their proposal that they are calling Fiona Stanley Hospital, which will be one of the landmark hospitals in this state, a prison because Serco runs the prison system and the detention centre system in Australia. It is an international company that manages a large number of hospitals in England. One would never know that from the advertisements that have been released. With regard to the particular case that the member has raised, I have not read the report but a report referring to those issues has been given to me. Serco was a five per cent holder in the company responsible for developing our hospital. The explanation was provided to me only today. I do not have those details in my head, but I am more than happy to provide to the member the report that I have that in effect exonerated Serco from the allegations that have been made.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)–(3) I would like to hear the member say that outside the chamber. Serco Australia is an extremely reputable company throughout the world. It will do an excellent job. I cannot work out exactly what the relationship is between the missos and the Labor Party, and particularly with the member opposite. The missos are acting extremely irresponsibly in their public campaign against Serco. I have seen in their proposal that they are calling Fiona Stanley Hospital, which will be one of the landmark hospitals in this state, a prison because Serco runs the prison system and the detention centre system in Australia. It is an international company that manages a large number of hospitals in England. One would never know that from the advertisements that have been released. With regard to the particular case that the member has raised, I have not read the report but a report referring to those issues has been given to me. Serco was a five per cent holder in the company responsible for developing our hospital. The explanation was provided to me only today. I do not have those details in my head, but I am more than happy to provide to the member the report that I have that in effect exonerated Serco from the allegations that have been made.
(1)–(3) I would like to hear the member say that outside the chamber. Serco Australia is an extremely reputable company throughout the world. It will do an excellent job. I cannot work out exactly what the relationship is between the missos and the Labor Party, and particularly with the member opposite. The missos are acting extremely irresponsibly in their public campaign against Serco. I have seen in their proposal that they are calling Fiona Stanley Hospital, which will be one of the landmark hospitals in this state, a prison because Serco runs the prison system and the detention centre system in Australia. It is an international company that manages a large number of hospitals in England. One would never know that from the advertisements that have been released. With regard to the particular case that the member has raised, I have not read the report but a report referring to those issues has been given to me. Serco was a five per cent holder in the company responsible for developing our hospital. The explanation was provided to me only today. I do not have those details in my head, but I am more than happy to provide to the member the report that I have that in effect exonerated Serco from the allegations that have been made.
A member interjected. Mr R.H. COOK : It is the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals. (1) Has the minister read the report and will he table it? (2) Were the findings considered by the state government before nominating Serco Australia as the preferred tenderer to provide more than 30 privatised services at Fiona Stanley Hospital? (3) What steps has the Barnett government taken to ensure that Serco, one of the world’s largest companies, does not fleece Western Australian taxpayers? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)–(3) I would like to hear the member say that outside the chamber. Serco Australia is an extremely reputable company throughout the world. It will do an excellent job. I cannot work out exactly what the relationship is between the missos and the Labor Party, and particularly with the member opposite. The missos are acting extremely irresponsibly in their public campaign against Serco. I have seen in their proposal that they are calling Fiona Stanley Hospital, which will be one of the landmark hospitals in this state, a prison because Serco runs the prison system and the detention centre system in Australia. It is an international company that manages a large number of hospitals in England. One would never know that from the advertisements that have been released. With regard to the particular case that the member has raised, I have not read the report but a report referring to those issues has been given to me. Serco was a five per cent holder in the company responsible for developing our hospital. The explanation was provided to me only today. I do not have those details in my head, but I am more than happy to provide to the member the report that I have that in effect exonerated Serco from the allegations that have been made.
Mr R.H. COOK : It is the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals. (1) Has the minister read the report and will he table it? (2) Were the findings considered by the state government before nominating Serco Australia as the preferred tenderer to provide more than 30 privatised services at Fiona Stanley Hospital? (3) What steps has the Barnett government taken to ensure that Serco, one of the world’s largest companies, does not fleece Western Australian taxpayers? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)–(3) I would like to hear the member say that outside the chamber. Serco Australia is an extremely reputable company throughout the world. It will do an excellent job. I cannot work out exactly what the relationship is between the missos and the Labor Party, and particularly with the member opposite. The missos are acting extremely irresponsibly in their public campaign against Serco. I have seen in their proposal that they are calling Fiona Stanley Hospital, which will be one of the landmark hospitals in this state, a prison because Serco runs the prison system and the detention centre system in Australia. It is an international company that manages a large number of hospitals in England. One would never know that from the advertisements that have been released. With regard to the particular case that the member has raised, I have not read the report but a report referring to those issues has been given to me. Serco was a five per cent holder in the company responsible for developing our hospital. The explanation was provided to me only today. I do not have those details in my head, but I am more than happy to provide to the member the report that I have that in effect exonerated Serco from the allegations that have been made.
(1) Has the minister read the report and will he table it? (2) Were the findings considered by the state government before nominating Serco Australia as the preferred tenderer to provide more than 30 privatised services at Fiona Stanley Hospital? (3) What steps has the Barnett government taken to ensure that Serco, one of the world’s largest companies, does not fleece Western Australian taxpayers? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)–(3) I would like to hear the member say that outside the chamber. Serco Australia is an extremely reputable company throughout the world. It will do an excellent job. I cannot work out exactly what the relationship is between the missos and the Labor Party, and particularly with the member opposite. The missos are acting extremely irresponsibly in their public campaign against Serco. I have seen in their proposal that they are calling Fiona Stanley Hospital, which will be one of the landmark hospitals in this state, a prison because Serco runs the prison system and the detention centre system in Australia. It is an international company that manages a large number of hospitals in England. One would never know that from the advertisements that have been released. With regard to the particular case that the member has raised, I have not read the report but a report referring to those issues has been given to me. Serco was a five per cent holder in the company responsible for developing our hospital. The explanation was provided to me only today. I do not have those details in my head, but I am more than happy to provide to the member the report that I have that in effect exonerated Serco from the allegations that have been made.
(2) Were the findings considered by the state government before nominating Serco Australia as the preferred tenderer to provide more than 30 privatised services at Fiona Stanley Hospital? (3) What steps has the Barnett government taken to ensure that Serco, one of the world’s largest companies, does not fleece Western Australian taxpayers? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)–(3) I would like to hear the member say that outside the chamber. Serco Australia is an extremely reputable company throughout the world. It will do an excellent job. I cannot work out exactly what the relationship is between the missos and the Labor Party, and particularly with the member opposite. The missos are acting extremely irresponsibly in their public campaign against Serco. I have seen in their proposal that they are calling Fiona Stanley Hospital, which will be one of the landmark hospitals in this state, a prison because Serco runs the prison system and the detention centre system in Australia. It is an international company that manages a large number of hospitals in England. One would never know that from the advertisements that have been released. With regard to the particular case that the member has raised, I have not read the report but a report referring to those issues has been given to me. Serco was a five per cent holder in the company responsible for developing our hospital. The explanation was provided to me only today. I do not have those details in my head, but I am more than happy to provide to the member the report that I have that in effect exonerated Serco from the allegations that have been made.
(3) What steps has the Barnett government taken to ensure that Serco, one of the world’s largest companies, does not fleece Western Australian taxpayers? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)–(3) I would like to hear the member say that outside the chamber. Serco Australia is an extremely reputable company throughout the world. It will do an excellent job. I cannot work out exactly what the relationship is between the missos and the Labor Party, and particularly with the member opposite. The missos are acting extremely irresponsibly in their public campaign against Serco. I have seen in their proposal that they are calling Fiona Stanley Hospital, which will be one of the landmark hospitals in this state, a prison because Serco runs the prison system and the detention centre system in Australia. It is an international company that manages a large number of hospitals in England. One would never know that from the advertisements that have been released. With regard to the particular case that the member has raised, I have not read the report but a report referring to those issues has been given to me. Serco was a five per cent holder in the company responsible for developing our hospital. The explanation was provided to me only today. I do not have those details in my head, but I am more than happy to provide to the member the report that I have that in effect exonerated Serco from the allegations that have been made.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)–(3) I would like to hear the member say that outside the chamber. Serco Australia is an extremely reputable company throughout the world. It will do an excellent job. I cannot work out exactly what the relationship is between the missos and the Labor Party, and particularly with the member opposite. The missos are acting extremely irresponsibly in their public campaign against Serco. I have seen in their proposal that they are calling Fiona Stanley Hospital, which will be one of the landmark hospitals in this state, a prison because Serco runs the prison system and the detention centre system in Australia. It is an international company that manages a large number of hospitals in England. One would never know that from the advertisements that have been released. With regard to the particular case that the member has raised, I have not read the report but a report referring to those issues has been given to me. Serco was a five per cent holder in the company responsible for developing our hospital. The explanation was provided to me only today. I do not have those details in my head, but I am more than happy to provide to the member the report that I have that in effect exonerated Serco from the allegations that have been made.
(1)–(3) I would like to hear the member say that outside the chamber. Serco Australia is an extremely reputable company throughout the world. It will do an excellent job. I cannot work out exactly what the relationship is between the missos and the Labor Party, and particularly with the member opposite. The missos are acting extremely irresponsibly in their public campaign against Serco. I have seen in their proposal that they are calling Fiona Stanley Hospital, which will be one of the landmark hospitals in this state, a prison because Serco runs the prison system and the detention centre system in Australia. It is an international company that manages a large number of hospitals in England. One would never know that from the advertisements that have been released. With regard to the particular case that the member has raised, I have not read the report but a report referring to those issues has been given to me. Serco was a five per cent holder in the company responsible for developing our hospital. The explanation was provided to me only today. I do not have those details in my head, but I am more than happy to provide to the member the report that I have that in effect exonerated Serco from the allegations that have been made.
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