❓ Mr. Watson questions the closure of the Esperance PATS office, citing community needs and lack of communication. The Minister's response is largely deflected by political point-scoring and doesn't directly address the specific concerns raised.
AnsweredQoN 615Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PATIENT ASSISTED TRAVEL SCHEME — CLOSURE OF ESPERANCE OFFICE
I refer to the decision to close the Esperance office of the patient assisted travel scheme, despite the importance of PATS across Western Australia. (1) Why has the department decided to close this office, despite the needs of patients and community concern? (2) Why did the department fail to directly inform the staff and the Esperance community of this closure? (3) Is the closure the first of many we can expect across regional WA? (4) Are regional electorates without National Party sitting members likely to be targeted for front-line cuts to health services? Dr K.D. HAMES
I refer to the decision to close the Esperance office of the patient assisted travel scheme, despite the importance of PATS across Western Australia. (1) Why has the department decided to close this office, despite the needs of patients and community concern? (2) Why did the department fail to directly inform the staff and the Esperance community of this closure? (3) Is the closure the first of many we can expect across regional WA? (4) Are regional electorates without National Party sitting members likely to be targeted for front-line cuts to health services? Dr K.D. HAMES
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(4) As this Parliament knows, this government has been responsible for the largest increase in funding in the history of PATS, not only in Western Australia, but in Australia. At the last ministerial conference, when they found out that we had followed all of the recommendations of the Senate inquiry into PATS funding and that we had increased it by the amount that we had, they were extremely jealous. In answer to the member’s question, it was brought to my attention by the Minister for Water the other day that the regional operator had planned to close the PATS office in Esperance. I rang the manager of regional health to question that decision and find out why the office was being closed. I asked him to review that decision and provide me with a response. Mr E.S. Ripper : Is that in accordance with your communications agreement? That is not in accordance with your communications agreement. Dr K.D. HAMES : I asked him to revisit the decision, as the member for Albany would obviously like him to. Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that when my regional officer does something that affects the Esperance community and I am asked whether the decision is appropriate or not, that I should not ask him? Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that when I am in charge of the Department of Health, I should not ask him for an explanation about why he has made a decision? What a lot of nonsense! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister, take a seat. The member for Albany has asked a question; I do not know if he can hear the answer. No, he cannot, and I cannot hear the answer either. I urge members of both sides of this place to remain reasonably silent during the minister’s response. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr R.H. Cook : What have you got against the member for Eyre? The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for Kwinana for the second time. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr E.S. Ripper : I am simply suggesting — Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
(1) Why has the department decided to close this office, despite the needs of patients and community concern? (2) Why did the department fail to directly inform the staff and the Esperance community of this closure? (3) Is the closure the first of many we can expect across regional WA? (4) Are regional electorates without National Party sitting members likely to be targeted for front-line cuts to health services? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(4) As this Parliament knows, this government has been responsible for the largest increase in funding in the history of PATS, not only in Western Australia, but in Australia. At the last ministerial conference, when they found out that we had followed all of the recommendations of the Senate inquiry into PATS funding and that we had increased it by the amount that we had, they were extremely jealous. In answer to the member’s question, it was brought to my attention by the Minister for Water the other day that the regional operator had planned to close the PATS office in Esperance. I rang the manager of regional health to question that decision and find out why the office was being closed. I asked him to review that decision and provide me with a response. Mr E.S. Ripper : Is that in accordance with your communications agreement? That is not in accordance with your communications agreement. Dr K.D. HAMES : I asked him to revisit the decision, as the member for Albany would obviously like him to. Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that when my regional officer does something that affects the Esperance community and I am asked whether the decision is appropriate or not, that I should not ask him? Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that when I am in charge of the Department of Health, I should not ask him for an explanation about why he has made a decision? What a lot of nonsense! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister, take a seat. The member for Albany has asked a question; I do not know if he can hear the answer. No, he cannot, and I cannot hear the answer either. I urge members of both sides of this place to remain reasonably silent during the minister’s response. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr R.H. Cook : What have you got against the member for Eyre? The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for Kwinana for the second time. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr E.S. Ripper : I am simply suggesting — Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
(2) Why did the department fail to directly inform the staff and the Esperance community of this closure? (3) Is the closure the first of many we can expect across regional WA? (4) Are regional electorates without National Party sitting members likely to be targeted for front-line cuts to health services? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(4) As this Parliament knows, this government has been responsible for the largest increase in funding in the history of PATS, not only in Western Australia, but in Australia. At the last ministerial conference, when they found out that we had followed all of the recommendations of the Senate inquiry into PATS funding and that we had increased it by the amount that we had, they were extremely jealous. In answer to the member’s question, it was brought to my attention by the Minister for Water the other day that the regional operator had planned to close the PATS office in Esperance. I rang the manager of regional health to question that decision and find out why the office was being closed. I asked him to review that decision and provide me with a response. Mr E.S. Ripper : Is that in accordance with your communications agreement? That is not in accordance with your communications agreement. Dr K.D. HAMES : I asked him to revisit the decision, as the member for Albany would obviously like him to. Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that when my regional officer does something that affects the Esperance community and I am asked whether the decision is appropriate or not, that I should not ask him? Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that when I am in charge of the Department of Health, I should not ask him for an explanation about why he has made a decision? What a lot of nonsense! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister, take a seat. The member for Albany has asked a question; I do not know if he can hear the answer. No, he cannot, and I cannot hear the answer either. I urge members of both sides of this place to remain reasonably silent during the minister’s response. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr R.H. Cook : What have you got against the member for Eyre? The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for Kwinana for the second time. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr E.S. Ripper : I am simply suggesting — Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
(3) Is the closure the first of many we can expect across regional WA? (4) Are regional electorates without National Party sitting members likely to be targeted for front-line cuts to health services? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(4) As this Parliament knows, this government has been responsible for the largest increase in funding in the history of PATS, not only in Western Australia, but in Australia. At the last ministerial conference, when they found out that we had followed all of the recommendations of the Senate inquiry into PATS funding and that we had increased it by the amount that we had, they were extremely jealous. In answer to the member’s question, it was brought to my attention by the Minister for Water the other day that the regional operator had planned to close the PATS office in Esperance. I rang the manager of regional health to question that decision and find out why the office was being closed. I asked him to review that decision and provide me with a response. Mr E.S. Ripper : Is that in accordance with your communications agreement? That is not in accordance with your communications agreement. Dr K.D. HAMES : I asked him to revisit the decision, as the member for Albany would obviously like him to. Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that when my regional officer does something that affects the Esperance community and I am asked whether the decision is appropriate or not, that I should not ask him? Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that when I am in charge of the Department of Health, I should not ask him for an explanation about why he has made a decision? What a lot of nonsense! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister, take a seat. The member for Albany has asked a question; I do not know if he can hear the answer. No, he cannot, and I cannot hear the answer either. I urge members of both sides of this place to remain reasonably silent during the minister’s response. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr R.H. Cook : What have you got against the member for Eyre? The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for Kwinana for the second time. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr E.S. Ripper : I am simply suggesting — Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
(4) Are regional electorates without National Party sitting members likely to be targeted for front-line cuts to health services? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(4) As this Parliament knows, this government has been responsible for the largest increase in funding in the history of PATS, not only in Western Australia, but in Australia. At the last ministerial conference, when they found out that we had followed all of the recommendations of the Senate inquiry into PATS funding and that we had increased it by the amount that we had, they were extremely jealous. In answer to the member’s question, it was brought to my attention by the Minister for Water the other day that the regional operator had planned to close the PATS office in Esperance. I rang the manager of regional health to question that decision and find out why the office was being closed. I asked him to review that decision and provide me with a response. Mr E.S. Ripper : Is that in accordance with your communications agreement? That is not in accordance with your communications agreement. Dr K.D. HAMES : I asked him to revisit the decision, as the member for Albany would obviously like him to. Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that when my regional officer does something that affects the Esperance community and I am asked whether the decision is appropriate or not, that I should not ask him? Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that when I am in charge of the Department of Health, I should not ask him for an explanation about why he has made a decision? What a lot of nonsense! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister, take a seat. The member for Albany has asked a question; I do not know if he can hear the answer. No, he cannot, and I cannot hear the answer either. I urge members of both sides of this place to remain reasonably silent during the minister’s response. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr R.H. Cook : What have you got against the member for Eyre? The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for Kwinana for the second time. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr E.S. Ripper : I am simply suggesting — Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(4) As this Parliament knows, this government has been responsible for the largest increase in funding in the history of PATS, not only in Western Australia, but in Australia. At the last ministerial conference, when they found out that we had followed all of the recommendations of the Senate inquiry into PATS funding and that we had increased it by the amount that we had, they were extremely jealous. In answer to the member’s question, it was brought to my attention by the Minister for Water the other day that the regional operator had planned to close the PATS office in Esperance. I rang the manager of regional health to question that decision and find out why the office was being closed. I asked him to review that decision and provide me with a response. Mr E.S. Ripper : Is that in accordance with your communications agreement? That is not in accordance with your communications agreement. Dr K.D. HAMES : I asked him to revisit the decision, as the member for Albany would obviously like him to. Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that when my regional officer does something that affects the Esperance community and I am asked whether the decision is appropriate or not, that I should not ask him? Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that when I am in charge of the Department of Health, I should not ask him for an explanation about why he has made a decision? What a lot of nonsense! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister, take a seat. The member for Albany has asked a question; I do not know if he can hear the answer. No, he cannot, and I cannot hear the answer either. I urge members of both sides of this place to remain reasonably silent during the minister’s response. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr R.H. Cook : What have you got against the member for Eyre? The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for Kwinana for the second time. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr E.S. Ripper : I am simply suggesting — Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
(1)-(4) As this Parliament knows, this government has been responsible for the largest increase in funding in the history of PATS, not only in Western Australia, but in Australia. At the last ministerial conference, when they found out that we had followed all of the recommendations of the Senate inquiry into PATS funding and that we had increased it by the amount that we had, they were extremely jealous. In answer to the member’s question, it was brought to my attention by the Minister for Water the other day that the regional operator had planned to close the PATS office in Esperance. I rang the manager of regional health to question that decision and find out why the office was being closed. I asked him to review that decision and provide me with a response. Mr E.S. Ripper : Is that in accordance with your communications agreement? That is not in accordance with your communications agreement. Dr K.D. HAMES : I asked him to revisit the decision, as the member for Albany would obviously like him to. Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that when my regional officer does something that affects the Esperance community and I am asked whether the decision is appropriate or not, that I should not ask him? Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that when I am in charge of the Department of Health, I should not ask him for an explanation about why he has made a decision? What a lot of nonsense! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister, take a seat. The member for Albany has asked a question; I do not know if he can hear the answer. No, he cannot, and I cannot hear the answer either. I urge members of both sides of this place to remain reasonably silent during the minister’s response. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr R.H. Cook : What have you got against the member for Eyre? The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for Kwinana for the second time. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr E.S. Ripper : I am simply suggesting — Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
Dr K.D. HAMES : I asked him to revisit the decision, as the member for Albany would obviously like him to. Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that when my regional officer does something that affects the Esperance community and I am asked whether the decision is appropriate or not, that I should not ask him? Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that when I am in charge of the Department of Health, I should not ask him for an explanation about why he has made a decision? What a lot of nonsense! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister, take a seat. The member for Albany has asked a question; I do not know if he can hear the answer. No, he cannot, and I cannot hear the answer either. I urge members of both sides of this place to remain reasonably silent during the minister’s response. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr R.H. Cook : What have you got against the member for Eyre? The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for Kwinana for the second time. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr E.S. Ripper : I am simply suggesting — Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister, take a seat. The member for Albany has asked a question; I do not know if he can hear the answer. No, he cannot, and I cannot hear the answer either. I urge members of both sides of this place to remain reasonably silent during the minister’s response. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr R.H. Cook : What have you got against the member for Eyre? The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for Kwinana for the second time. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr E.S. Ripper : I am simply suggesting — Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
The SPEAKER : Minister, take a seat. The member for Albany has asked a question; I do not know if he can hear the answer. No, he cannot, and I cannot hear the answer either. I urge members of both sides of this place to remain reasonably silent during the minister’s response. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr R.H. Cook : What have you got against the member for Eyre? The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for Kwinana for the second time. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr E.S. Ripper : I am simply suggesting — Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr R.H. Cook : What have you got against the member for Eyre? The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for Kwinana for the second time. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr E.S. Ripper : I am simply suggesting — Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
Mr R.H. Cook : What have you got against the member for Eyre? The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for Kwinana for the second time. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr E.S. Ripper : I am simply suggesting — Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for Kwinana for the second time. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr E.S. Ripper : I am simply suggesting — Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr E.S. Ripper : I am simply suggesting — Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
Mr E.S. Ripper : I am simply suggesting — Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
(1) Why has the department decided to close this office, despite the needs of patients and community concern? (2) Why did the department fail to directly inform the staff and the Esperance community of this closure? (3) Is the closure the first of many we can expect across regional WA? (4) Are regional electorates without National Party sitting members likely to be targeted for front-line cuts to health services? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(4) As this Parliament knows, this government has been responsible for the largest increase in funding in the history of PATS, not only in Western Australia, but in Australia. At the last ministerial conference, when they found out that we had followed all of the recommendations of the Senate inquiry into PATS funding and that we had increased it by the amount that we had, they were extremely jealous. In answer to the member’s question, it was brought to my attention by the Minister for Water the other day that the regional operator had planned to close the PATS office in Esperance. I rang the manager of regional health to question that decision and find out why the office was being closed. I asked him to review that decision and provide me with a response. Mr E.S. Ripper : Is that in accordance with your communications agreement? That is not in accordance with your communications agreement. Dr K.D. HAMES : I asked him to revisit the decision, as the member for Albany would obviously like him to. Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that when my regional officer does something that affects the Esperance community and I am asked whether the decision is appropriate or not, that I should not ask him? Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that when I am in charge of the Department of Health, I should not ask him for an explanation about why he has made a decision? What a lot of nonsense! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister, take a seat. The member for Albany has asked a question; I do not know if he can hear the answer. No, he cannot, and I cannot hear the answer either. I urge members of both sides of this place to remain reasonably silent during the minister’s response. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr R.H. Cook : What have you got against the member for Eyre? The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for Kwinana for the second time. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr E.S. Ripper : I am simply suggesting — Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
(2) Why did the department fail to directly inform the staff and the Esperance community of this closure? (3) Is the closure the first of many we can expect across regional WA? (4) Are regional electorates without National Party sitting members likely to be targeted for front-line cuts to health services? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(4) As this Parliament knows, this government has been responsible for the largest increase in funding in the history of PATS, not only in Western Australia, but in Australia. At the last ministerial conference, when they found out that we had followed all of the recommendations of the Senate inquiry into PATS funding and that we had increased it by the amount that we had, they were extremely jealous. In answer to the member’s question, it was brought to my attention by the Minister for Water the other day that the regional operator had planned to close the PATS office in Esperance. I rang the manager of regional health to question that decision and find out why the office was being closed. I asked him to review that decision and provide me with a response. Mr E.S. Ripper : Is that in accordance with your communications agreement? That is not in accordance with your communications agreement. Dr K.D. HAMES : I asked him to revisit the decision, as the member for Albany would obviously like him to. Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that when my regional officer does something that affects the Esperance community and I am asked whether the decision is appropriate or not, that I should not ask him? Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that when I am in charge of the Department of Health, I should not ask him for an explanation about why he has made a decision? What a lot of nonsense! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister, take a seat. The member for Albany has asked a question; I do not know if he can hear the answer. No, he cannot, and I cannot hear the answer either. I urge members of both sides of this place to remain reasonably silent during the minister’s response. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr R.H. Cook : What have you got against the member for Eyre? The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for Kwinana for the second time. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr E.S. Ripper : I am simply suggesting — Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
(3) Is the closure the first of many we can expect across regional WA? (4) Are regional electorates without National Party sitting members likely to be targeted for front-line cuts to health services? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(4) As this Parliament knows, this government has been responsible for the largest increase in funding in the history of PATS, not only in Western Australia, but in Australia. At the last ministerial conference, when they found out that we had followed all of the recommendations of the Senate inquiry into PATS funding and that we had increased it by the amount that we had, they were extremely jealous. In answer to the member’s question, it was brought to my attention by the Minister for Water the other day that the regional operator had planned to close the PATS office in Esperance. I rang the manager of regional health to question that decision and find out why the office was being closed. I asked him to review that decision and provide me with a response. Mr E.S. Ripper : Is that in accordance with your communications agreement? That is not in accordance with your communications agreement. Dr K.D. HAMES : I asked him to revisit the decision, as the member for Albany would obviously like him to. Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that when my regional officer does something that affects the Esperance community and I am asked whether the decision is appropriate or not, that I should not ask him? Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that when I am in charge of the Department of Health, I should not ask him for an explanation about why he has made a decision? What a lot of nonsense! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister, take a seat. The member for Albany has asked a question; I do not know if he can hear the answer. No, he cannot, and I cannot hear the answer either. I urge members of both sides of this place to remain reasonably silent during the minister’s response. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr R.H. Cook : What have you got against the member for Eyre? The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for Kwinana for the second time. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr E.S. Ripper : I am simply suggesting — Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
(4) Are regional electorates without National Party sitting members likely to be targeted for front-line cuts to health services? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(4) As this Parliament knows, this government has been responsible for the largest increase in funding in the history of PATS, not only in Western Australia, but in Australia. At the last ministerial conference, when they found out that we had followed all of the recommendations of the Senate inquiry into PATS funding and that we had increased it by the amount that we had, they were extremely jealous. In answer to the member’s question, it was brought to my attention by the Minister for Water the other day that the regional operator had planned to close the PATS office in Esperance. I rang the manager of regional health to question that decision and find out why the office was being closed. I asked him to review that decision and provide me with a response. Mr E.S. Ripper : Is that in accordance with your communications agreement? That is not in accordance with your communications agreement. Dr K.D. HAMES : I asked him to revisit the decision, as the member for Albany would obviously like him to. Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that when my regional officer does something that affects the Esperance community and I am asked whether the decision is appropriate or not, that I should not ask him? Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that when I am in charge of the Department of Health, I should not ask him for an explanation about why he has made a decision? What a lot of nonsense! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister, take a seat. The member for Albany has asked a question; I do not know if he can hear the answer. No, he cannot, and I cannot hear the answer either. I urge members of both sides of this place to remain reasonably silent during the minister’s response. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr R.H. Cook : What have you got against the member for Eyre? The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for Kwinana for the second time. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr E.S. Ripper : I am simply suggesting — Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(4) As this Parliament knows, this government has been responsible for the largest increase in funding in the history of PATS, not only in Western Australia, but in Australia. At the last ministerial conference, when they found out that we had followed all of the recommendations of the Senate inquiry into PATS funding and that we had increased it by the amount that we had, they were extremely jealous. In answer to the member’s question, it was brought to my attention by the Minister for Water the other day that the regional operator had planned to close the PATS office in Esperance. I rang the manager of regional health to question that decision and find out why the office was being closed. I asked him to review that decision and provide me with a response. Mr E.S. Ripper : Is that in accordance with your communications agreement? That is not in accordance with your communications agreement. Dr K.D. HAMES : I asked him to revisit the decision, as the member for Albany would obviously like him to. Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that when my regional officer does something that affects the Esperance community and I am asked whether the decision is appropriate or not, that I should not ask him? Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that when I am in charge of the Department of Health, I should not ask him for an explanation about why he has made a decision? What a lot of nonsense! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister, take a seat. The member for Albany has asked a question; I do not know if he can hear the answer. No, he cannot, and I cannot hear the answer either. I urge members of both sides of this place to remain reasonably silent during the minister’s response. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr R.H. Cook : What have you got against the member for Eyre? The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for Kwinana for the second time. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr E.S. Ripper : I am simply suggesting — Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
(1)-(4) As this Parliament knows, this government has been responsible for the largest increase in funding in the history of PATS, not only in Western Australia, but in Australia. At the last ministerial conference, when they found out that we had followed all of the recommendations of the Senate inquiry into PATS funding and that we had increased it by the amount that we had, they were extremely jealous. In answer to the member’s question, it was brought to my attention by the Minister for Water the other day that the regional operator had planned to close the PATS office in Esperance. I rang the manager of regional health to question that decision and find out why the office was being closed. I asked him to review that decision and provide me with a response. Mr E.S. Ripper : Is that in accordance with your communications agreement? That is not in accordance with your communications agreement. Dr K.D. HAMES : I asked him to revisit the decision, as the member for Albany would obviously like him to. Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that when my regional officer does something that affects the Esperance community and I am asked whether the decision is appropriate or not, that I should not ask him? Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that when I am in charge of the Department of Health, I should not ask him for an explanation about why he has made a decision? What a lot of nonsense! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister, take a seat. The member for Albany has asked a question; I do not know if he can hear the answer. No, he cannot, and I cannot hear the answer either. I urge members of both sides of this place to remain reasonably silent during the minister’s response. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr R.H. Cook : What have you got against the member for Eyre? The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for Kwinana for the second time. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr E.S. Ripper : I am simply suggesting — Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
Dr K.D. HAMES : I asked him to revisit the decision, as the member for Albany would obviously like him to. Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that when my regional officer does something that affects the Esperance community and I am asked whether the decision is appropriate or not, that I should not ask him? Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that when I am in charge of the Department of Health, I should not ask him for an explanation about why he has made a decision? What a lot of nonsense! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister, take a seat. The member for Albany has asked a question; I do not know if he can hear the answer. No, he cannot, and I cannot hear the answer either. I urge members of both sides of this place to remain reasonably silent during the minister’s response. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr R.H. Cook : What have you got against the member for Eyre? The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for Kwinana for the second time. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr E.S. Ripper : I am simply suggesting — Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister, take a seat. The member for Albany has asked a question; I do not know if he can hear the answer. No, he cannot, and I cannot hear the answer either. I urge members of both sides of this place to remain reasonably silent during the minister’s response. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr R.H. Cook : What have you got against the member for Eyre? The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for Kwinana for the second time. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr E.S. Ripper : I am simply suggesting — Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
The SPEAKER : Minister, take a seat. The member for Albany has asked a question; I do not know if he can hear the answer. No, he cannot, and I cannot hear the answer either. I urge members of both sides of this place to remain reasonably silent during the minister’s response. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr R.H. Cook : What have you got against the member for Eyre? The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for Kwinana for the second time. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr E.S. Ripper : I am simply suggesting — Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr R.H. Cook : What have you got against the member for Eyre? The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for Kwinana for the second time. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr E.S. Ripper : I am simply suggesting — Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
Mr R.H. Cook : What have you got against the member for Eyre? The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for Kwinana for the second time. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr E.S. Ripper : I am simply suggesting — Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for Kwinana for the second time. The minister has the call. Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr E.S. Ripper : I am simply suggesting — Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
Dr K.D. HAMES : Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously suggesting — Mr E.S. Ripper : I am simply suggesting — Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
Mr E.S. Ripper : I am simply suggesting — Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, I know what the Leader of the Opposition is saying; I am just asking him a question. Is he seriously suggesting that as Minister for Health, I cannot ask my regional manager a question? Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : I have asked the minister a question and he has engaged in a shouting match with the Leader of the Opposition. All I want to know is the answer. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr K.D. HAMES : I will speak very quietly. Is the Leader of the Opposition seriously saying that as Minister for Health, I should not be able to ask the regional manager for an explanation as to why a decision has been made? Answer that. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking the Minister for Health if he is acting in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a ridiculous concept that, as Minister for Health, I should not ask my regional manager to give an explanation. Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Maybe his communications agreement allows the Minister for Health to do that. I am just asking. Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
Dr K.D. HAMES : I have been minister for about the same time the member was minister, and I do not know how he operated as minister, but if a problem is brought to my attention, I ask why a decision has been made. Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
Dr K.D. HAMES : I am not listening to member for Willagee. He is the last person in this house I listen to. I went to the regional manager for an explanation as to why he would make that decision because we are trying to improve those services to the community, and that decision would take those services away. I have not had a response to that question, but I can say that we are dedicated to increasing health services to rural people in Western Australia. The member’s constituents will have benefited from the changes we have made to cancer management, whereby people who live more than four hours away from Perth and have cancer can now access air travel, whereas before they had to be 16 hours’ drive away. I bet that people in the member’s electorate are extremely happy with the changes we have made, as are the people from the rest of regional Western Australia. We will ensure that we continue to look after their health and their needs through PATS.
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