❓ A WA parliamentary question on funding for an MRI machine at Princess Margaret Hospital, criticising the Minister for seeking funds from Telethon and rejecting Commonwealth funding. The Minister deflects, attacking the previous government's inaction on MRI licensing.
AnsweredQoN 1004Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the minister’s long overdue announcement today that the State Government will be funding the installation of a magnetic resonance imaging machine at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. (1) Given massive revenue windfalls this year, why is the minister going cap in hand to a charity such as Telethon to fund the operating cost of the MRI when this is the responsibility of his Government? (2) Is the minister aware that by taking $400 000 from Telethon - if it is $400 000 - he is denying Princess Margaret Hospital access to funds for other vital equipment and lifesaving research? (3) Will the minister stop playing politics and accept the offer of $500 000 from the Commonwealth Government for the operation of the MRI until the licence is granted? Mr KUCERA
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) About 10 minutes ago I left a little bloke called Jake who was hooked up to a machine in Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. That is one example of the reasons I have acted, unlike the Opposition which for eight years lay on its back every time a new licence was issued to a private operator in the State. I am prepared to take the fight to the federal Government. It is as simple as that. I ask one question: where was the Opposition for eight years in this State when it knew full well that Princess Margaret Hospital for Children had a desperate need for the licence? Where were members of the Opposition when the Blandford report stated in March 2000 that this State was entitled to another licence and when the federal minister denied us that licence? They did not make a peep. Mr Kobelke: They were building belltowers. Mr KUCERA: They were. The member for Murdoch has the gall to ask me such a question. Let me tell him that nothing will spoil this day for the kids of our State. Our hospital is getting the machine the previous Government did not give it. The Gallop Government is delivering.
(1) Given massive revenue windfalls this year, why is the minister going cap in hand to a charity such as Telethon to fund the operating cost of the MRI when this is the responsibility of his Government? (2) Is the minister aware that by taking $400 000 from Telethon - if it is $400 000 - he is denying Princess Margaret Hospital access to funds for other vital equipment and lifesaving research? (3) Will the minister stop playing politics and accept the offer of $500 000 from the Commonwealth Government for the operation of the MRI until the licence is granted? Mr KUCERA replied: (1)-(3) About 10 minutes ago I left a little bloke called Jake who was hooked up to a machine in Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. That is one example of the reasons I have acted, unlike the Opposition which for eight years lay on its back every time a new licence was issued to a private operator in the State. I am prepared to take the fight to the federal Government. It is as simple as that. I ask one question: where was the Opposition for eight years in this State when it knew full well that Princess Margaret Hospital for Children had a desperate need for the licence? Where were members of the Opposition when the Blandford report stated in March 2000 that this State was entitled to another licence and when the federal minister denied us that licence? They did not make a peep. Mr Kobelke: They were building belltowers. Mr KUCERA: They were. The member for Murdoch has the gall to ask me such a question. Let me tell him that nothing will spoil this day for the kids of our State. Our hospital is getting the machine the previous Government did not give it. The Gallop Government is delivering.
(2) Is the minister aware that by taking $400 000 from Telethon - if it is $400 000 - he is denying Princess Margaret Hospital access to funds for other vital equipment and lifesaving research? (3) Will the minister stop playing politics and accept the offer of $500 000 from the Commonwealth Government for the operation of the MRI until the licence is granted? Mr KUCERA replied: (1)-(3) About 10 minutes ago I left a little bloke called Jake who was hooked up to a machine in Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. That is one example of the reasons I have acted, unlike the Opposition which for eight years lay on its back every time a new licence was issued to a private operator in the State. I am prepared to take the fight to the federal Government. It is as simple as that. I ask one question: where was the Opposition for eight years in this State when it knew full well that Princess Margaret Hospital for Children had a desperate need for the licence? Where were members of the Opposition when the Blandford report stated in March 2000 that this State was entitled to another licence and when the federal minister denied us that licence? They did not make a peep. Mr Kobelke: They were building belltowers. Mr KUCERA: They were. The member for Murdoch has the gall to ask me such a question. Let me tell him that nothing will spoil this day for the kids of our State. Our hospital is getting the machine the previous Government did not give it. The Gallop Government is delivering.
(3) Will the minister stop playing politics and accept the offer of $500 000 from the Commonwealth Government for the operation of the MRI until the licence is granted? Mr KUCERA replied: (1)-(3) About 10 minutes ago I left a little bloke called Jake who was hooked up to a machine in Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. That is one example of the reasons I have acted, unlike the Opposition which for eight years lay on its back every time a new licence was issued to a private operator in the State. I am prepared to take the fight to the federal Government. It is as simple as that. I ask one question: where was the Opposition for eight years in this State when it knew full well that Princess Margaret Hospital for Children had a desperate need for the licence? Where were members of the Opposition when the Blandford report stated in March 2000 that this State was entitled to another licence and when the federal minister denied us that licence? They did not make a peep. Mr Kobelke: They were building belltowers. Mr KUCERA: They were. The member for Murdoch has the gall to ask me such a question. Let me tell him that nothing will spoil this day for the kids of our State. Our hospital is getting the machine the previous Government did not give it. The Gallop Government is delivering.
Mr KUCERA replied: (1)-(3) About 10 minutes ago I left a little bloke called Jake who was hooked up to a machine in Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. That is one example of the reasons I have acted, unlike the Opposition which for eight years lay on its back every time a new licence was issued to a private operator in the State. I am prepared to take the fight to the federal Government. It is as simple as that. I ask one question: where was the Opposition for eight years in this State when it knew full well that Princess Margaret Hospital for Children had a desperate need for the licence? Where were members of the Opposition when the Blandford report stated in March 2000 that this State was entitled to another licence and when the federal minister denied us that licence? They did not make a peep. Mr Kobelke: They were building belltowers. Mr KUCERA: They were. The member for Murdoch has the gall to ask me such a question. Let me tell him that nothing will spoil this day for the kids of our State. Our hospital is getting the machine the previous Government did not give it. The Gallop Government is delivering.
(1)-(3) About 10 minutes ago I left a little bloke called Jake who was hooked up to a machine in Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. That is one example of the reasons I have acted, unlike the Opposition which for eight years lay on its back every time a new licence was issued to a private operator in the State. I am prepared to take the fight to the federal Government. It is as simple as that. I ask one question: where was the Opposition for eight years in this State when it knew full well that Princess Margaret Hospital for Children had a desperate need for the licence? Where were members of the Opposition when the Blandford report stated in March 2000 that this State was entitled to another licence and when the federal minister denied us that licence? They did not make a peep. Mr Kobelke: They were building belltowers. Mr KUCERA: They were. The member for Murdoch has the gall to ask me such a question. Let me tell him that nothing will spoil this day for the kids of our State. Our hospital is getting the machine the previous Government did not give it. The Gallop Government is delivering.
Mr KUCERA: They were. The member for Murdoch has the gall to ask me such a question. Let me tell him that nothing will spoil this day for the kids of our State. Our hospital is getting the machine the previous Government did not give it. The Gallop Government is delivering.
(1) Given massive revenue windfalls this year, why is the minister going cap in hand to a charity such as Telethon to fund the operating cost of the MRI when this is the responsibility of his Government? (2) Is the minister aware that by taking $400 000 from Telethon - if it is $400 000 - he is denying Princess Margaret Hospital access to funds for other vital equipment and lifesaving research? (3) Will the minister stop playing politics and accept the offer of $500 000 from the Commonwealth Government for the operation of the MRI until the licence is granted? Mr KUCERA replied: (1)-(3) About 10 minutes ago I left a little bloke called Jake who was hooked up to a machine in Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. That is one example of the reasons I have acted, unlike the Opposition which for eight years lay on its back every time a new licence was issued to a private operator in the State. I am prepared to take the fight to the federal Government. It is as simple as that. I ask one question: where was the Opposition for eight years in this State when it knew full well that Princess Margaret Hospital for Children had a desperate need for the licence? Where were members of the Opposition when the Blandford report stated in March 2000 that this State was entitled to another licence and when the federal minister denied us that licence? They did not make a peep. Mr Kobelke: They were building belltowers. Mr KUCERA: They were. The member for Murdoch has the gall to ask me such a question. Let me tell him that nothing will spoil this day for the kids of our State. Our hospital is getting the machine the previous Government did not give it. The Gallop Government is delivering.
(2) Is the minister aware that by taking $400 000 from Telethon - if it is $400 000 - he is denying Princess Margaret Hospital access to funds for other vital equipment and lifesaving research? (3) Will the minister stop playing politics and accept the offer of $500 000 from the Commonwealth Government for the operation of the MRI until the licence is granted? Mr KUCERA replied: (1)-(3) About 10 minutes ago I left a little bloke called Jake who was hooked up to a machine in Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. That is one example of the reasons I have acted, unlike the Opposition which for eight years lay on its back every time a new licence was issued to a private operator in the State. I am prepared to take the fight to the federal Government. It is as simple as that. I ask one question: where was the Opposition for eight years in this State when it knew full well that Princess Margaret Hospital for Children had a desperate need for the licence? Where were members of the Opposition when the Blandford report stated in March 2000 that this State was entitled to another licence and when the federal minister denied us that licence? They did not make a peep. Mr Kobelke: They were building belltowers. Mr KUCERA: They were. The member for Murdoch has the gall to ask me such a question. Let me tell him that nothing will spoil this day for the kids of our State. Our hospital is getting the machine the previous Government did not give it. The Gallop Government is delivering.
(3) Will the minister stop playing politics and accept the offer of $500 000 from the Commonwealth Government for the operation of the MRI until the licence is granted? Mr KUCERA replied: (1)-(3) About 10 minutes ago I left a little bloke called Jake who was hooked up to a machine in Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. That is one example of the reasons I have acted, unlike the Opposition which for eight years lay on its back every time a new licence was issued to a private operator in the State. I am prepared to take the fight to the federal Government. It is as simple as that. I ask one question: where was the Opposition for eight years in this State when it knew full well that Princess Margaret Hospital for Children had a desperate need for the licence? Where were members of the Opposition when the Blandford report stated in March 2000 that this State was entitled to another licence and when the federal minister denied us that licence? They did not make a peep. Mr Kobelke: They were building belltowers. Mr KUCERA: They were. The member for Murdoch has the gall to ask me such a question. Let me tell him that nothing will spoil this day for the kids of our State. Our hospital is getting the machine the previous Government did not give it. The Gallop Government is delivering.
Mr KUCERA replied: (1)-(3) About 10 minutes ago I left a little bloke called Jake who was hooked up to a machine in Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. That is one example of the reasons I have acted, unlike the Opposition which for eight years lay on its back every time a new licence was issued to a private operator in the State. I am prepared to take the fight to the federal Government. It is as simple as that. I ask one question: where was the Opposition for eight years in this State when it knew full well that Princess Margaret Hospital for Children had a desperate need for the licence? Where were members of the Opposition when the Blandford report stated in March 2000 that this State was entitled to another licence and when the federal minister denied us that licence? They did not make a peep. Mr Kobelke: They were building belltowers. Mr KUCERA: They were. The member for Murdoch has the gall to ask me such a question. Let me tell him that nothing will spoil this day for the kids of our State. Our hospital is getting the machine the previous Government did not give it. The Gallop Government is delivering.
(1)-(3) About 10 minutes ago I left a little bloke called Jake who was hooked up to a machine in Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. That is one example of the reasons I have acted, unlike the Opposition which for eight years lay on its back every time a new licence was issued to a private operator in the State. I am prepared to take the fight to the federal Government. It is as simple as that. I ask one question: where was the Opposition for eight years in this State when it knew full well that Princess Margaret Hospital for Children had a desperate need for the licence? Where were members of the Opposition when the Blandford report stated in March 2000 that this State was entitled to another licence and when the federal minister denied us that licence? They did not make a peep. Mr Kobelke: They were building belltowers. Mr KUCERA: They were. The member for Murdoch has the gall to ask me such a question. Let me tell him that nothing will spoil this day for the kids of our State. Our hospital is getting the machine the previous Government did not give it. The Gallop Government is delivering.
Mr KUCERA: They were. The member for Murdoch has the gall to ask me such a question. Let me tell him that nothing will spoil this day for the kids of our State. Our hospital is getting the machine the previous Government did not give it. The Gallop Government is delivering.
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