❓ Mr. Cook questions the fairness of increased parking fees at the new Perth Children's Hospital. Minister Day defends the fees, citing the need to fund the $125 million car park and assures concessions will be available, similar to those at Princess Margaret Hospital.
AnsweredQoN 189Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PERTH CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL — PARKING 189. Mr R.H. COOK to the Minister for Health: I refer to the reported increases in the cost of parking at the new children’s hospital compared with the current rates at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and to the Premier’s comment in relation to the new charge of $23 a day as, “It is fair.” (1) Does the minister agree with the Premier that slugging the parents of sick children with this dramatic increase in parking is fair? (2) Will the government be subsidising concessional parking for these parents? (3) How will the government measure the degree of subsidy required by families in need? Mr J.H.D. DAY
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) I am very pleased to have the first question in question time having resumed the role as Minister for Health, and I acknowledge the role of my predecessor, who is now sitting a little further away from the Premier. The member for Dawesville was very committed to redevelopment of the Western Australian health system over seven and a half years and I acknowledge and compliment him on his role. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr R.H. Cook : Have you got a hoverboard this time? Mr J.H.D. DAY : Is the member for Kwinana actually interested in an intelligent answer, or is he just going to talk over? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr J.H.D. DAY : Mr Speaker, the opposition has a problem. They need to understand that if major new infrastructure is going to be provided by the Western Australian government, it has to be paid for somehow. They do not seem to appreciate that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
189. Mr R.H. COOK to the Minister for Health: I refer to the reported increases in the cost of parking at the new children’s hospital compared with the current rates at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and to the Premier’s comment in relation to the new charge of $23 a day as, “It is fair.” (1) Does the minister agree with the Premier that slugging the parents of sick children with this dramatic increase in parking is fair? (2) Will the government be subsidising concessional parking for these parents? (3) How will the government measure the degree of subsidy required by families in need? Mr J.H.D. DAY replied: (1)–(3) I am very pleased to have the first question in question time having resumed the role as Minister for Health, and I acknowledge the role of my predecessor, who is now sitting a little further away from the Premier. The member for Dawesville was very committed to redevelopment of the Western Australian health system over seven and a half years and I acknowledge and compliment him on his role. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr R.H. Cook : Have you got a hoverboard this time? Mr J.H.D. DAY : Is the member for Kwinana actually interested in an intelligent answer, or is he just going to talk over? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr J.H.D. DAY : Mr Speaker, the opposition has a problem. They need to understand that if major new infrastructure is going to be provided by the Western Australian government, it has to be paid for somehow. They do not seem to appreciate that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
I refer to the reported increases in the cost of parking at the new children’s hospital compared with the current rates at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and to the Premier’s comment in relation to the new charge of $23 a day as, “It is fair.” (1) Does the minister agree with the Premier that slugging the parents of sick children with this dramatic increase in parking is fair? (2) Will the government be subsidising concessional parking for these parents? (3) How will the government measure the degree of subsidy required by families in need? Mr J.H.D. DAY replied: (1)–(3) I am very pleased to have the first question in question time having resumed the role as Minister for Health, and I acknowledge the role of my predecessor, who is now sitting a little further away from the Premier. The member for Dawesville was very committed to redevelopment of the Western Australian health system over seven and a half years and I acknowledge and compliment him on his role. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr R.H. Cook : Have you got a hoverboard this time? Mr J.H.D. DAY : Is the member for Kwinana actually interested in an intelligent answer, or is he just going to talk over? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr J.H.D. DAY : Mr Speaker, the opposition has a problem. They need to understand that if major new infrastructure is going to be provided by the Western Australian government, it has to be paid for somehow. They do not seem to appreciate that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
(1) Does the minister agree with the Premier that slugging the parents of sick children with this dramatic increase in parking is fair? (2) Will the government be subsidising concessional parking for these parents? (3) How will the government measure the degree of subsidy required by families in need? Mr J.H.D. DAY replied: (1)–(3) I am very pleased to have the first question in question time having resumed the role as Minister for Health, and I acknowledge the role of my predecessor, who is now sitting a little further away from the Premier. The member for Dawesville was very committed to redevelopment of the Western Australian health system over seven and a half years and I acknowledge and compliment him on his role. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr R.H. Cook : Have you got a hoverboard this time? Mr J.H.D. DAY : Is the member for Kwinana actually interested in an intelligent answer, or is he just going to talk over? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr J.H.D. DAY : Mr Speaker, the opposition has a problem. They need to understand that if major new infrastructure is going to be provided by the Western Australian government, it has to be paid for somehow. They do not seem to appreciate that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
(2) Will the government be subsidising concessional parking for these parents? (3) How will the government measure the degree of subsidy required by families in need? Mr J.H.D. DAY replied: (1)–(3) I am very pleased to have the first question in question time having resumed the role as Minister for Health, and I acknowledge the role of my predecessor, who is now sitting a little further away from the Premier. The member for Dawesville was very committed to redevelopment of the Western Australian health system over seven and a half years and I acknowledge and compliment him on his role. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr R.H. Cook : Have you got a hoverboard this time? Mr J.H.D. DAY : Is the member for Kwinana actually interested in an intelligent answer, or is he just going to talk over? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr J.H.D. DAY : Mr Speaker, the opposition has a problem. They need to understand that if major new infrastructure is going to be provided by the Western Australian government, it has to be paid for somehow. They do not seem to appreciate that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
(3) How will the government measure the degree of subsidy required by families in need? Mr J.H.D. DAY replied: (1)–(3) I am very pleased to have the first question in question time having resumed the role as Minister for Health, and I acknowledge the role of my predecessor, who is now sitting a little further away from the Premier. The member for Dawesville was very committed to redevelopment of the Western Australian health system over seven and a half years and I acknowledge and compliment him on his role. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr R.H. Cook : Have you got a hoverboard this time? Mr J.H.D. DAY : Is the member for Kwinana actually interested in an intelligent answer, or is he just going to talk over? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr J.H.D. DAY : Mr Speaker, the opposition has a problem. They need to understand that if major new infrastructure is going to be provided by the Western Australian government, it has to be paid for somehow. They do not seem to appreciate that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
Mr J.H.D. DAY replied: (1)–(3) I am very pleased to have the first question in question time having resumed the role as Minister for Health, and I acknowledge the role of my predecessor, who is now sitting a little further away from the Premier. The member for Dawesville was very committed to redevelopment of the Western Australian health system over seven and a half years and I acknowledge and compliment him on his role. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr R.H. Cook : Have you got a hoverboard this time? Mr J.H.D. DAY : Is the member for Kwinana actually interested in an intelligent answer, or is he just going to talk over? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr J.H.D. DAY : Mr Speaker, the opposition has a problem. They need to understand that if major new infrastructure is going to be provided by the Western Australian government, it has to be paid for somehow. They do not seem to appreciate that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
(1)–(3) I am very pleased to have the first question in question time having resumed the role as Minister for Health, and I acknowledge the role of my predecessor, who is now sitting a little further away from the Premier. The member for Dawesville was very committed to redevelopment of the Western Australian health system over seven and a half years and I acknowledge and compliment him on his role. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr R.H. Cook : Have you got a hoverboard this time? Mr J.H.D. DAY : Is the member for Kwinana actually interested in an intelligent answer, or is he just going to talk over? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr J.H.D. DAY : Mr Speaker, the opposition has a problem. They need to understand that if major new infrastructure is going to be provided by the Western Australian government, it has to be paid for somehow. They do not seem to appreciate that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr R.H. Cook : Have you got a hoverboard this time? Mr J.H.D. DAY : Is the member for Kwinana actually interested in an intelligent answer, or is he just going to talk over? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr J.H.D. DAY : Mr Speaker, the opposition has a problem. They need to understand that if major new infrastructure is going to be provided by the Western Australian government, it has to be paid for somehow. They do not seem to appreciate that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr R.H. Cook : Have you got a hoverboard this time? Mr J.H.D. DAY : Is the member for Kwinana actually interested in an intelligent answer, or is he just going to talk over? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr J.H.D. DAY : Mr Speaker, the opposition has a problem. They need to understand that if major new infrastructure is going to be provided by the Western Australian government, it has to be paid for somehow. They do not seem to appreciate that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
Mr R.H. Cook : Have you got a hoverboard this time? Mr J.H.D. DAY : Is the member for Kwinana actually interested in an intelligent answer, or is he just going to talk over? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr J.H.D. DAY : Mr Speaker, the opposition has a problem. They need to understand that if major new infrastructure is going to be provided by the Western Australian government, it has to be paid for somehow. They do not seem to appreciate that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
Mr J.H.D. DAY : Is the member for Kwinana actually interested in an intelligent answer, or is he just going to talk over? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr J.H.D. DAY : Mr Speaker, the opposition has a problem. They need to understand that if major new infrastructure is going to be provided by the Western Australian government, it has to be paid for somehow. They do not seem to appreciate that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr J.H.D. DAY : Mr Speaker, the opposition has a problem. They need to understand that if major new infrastructure is going to be provided by the Western Australian government, it has to be paid for somehow. They do not seem to appreciate that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr J.H.D. DAY : Mr Speaker, the opposition has a problem. They need to understand that if major new infrastructure is going to be provided by the Western Australian government, it has to be paid for somehow. They do not seem to appreciate that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
Mr J.H.D. DAY : Mr Speaker, the opposition has a problem. They need to understand that if major new infrastructure is going to be provided by the Western Australian government, it has to be paid for somehow. They do not seem to appreciate that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
189. Mr R.H. COOK to the Minister for Health: I refer to the reported increases in the cost of parking at the new children’s hospital compared with the current rates at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and to the Premier’s comment in relation to the new charge of $23 a day as, “It is fair.” (1) Does the minister agree with the Premier that slugging the parents of sick children with this dramatic increase in parking is fair? (2) Will the government be subsidising concessional parking for these parents? (3) How will the government measure the degree of subsidy required by families in need? Mr J.H.D. DAY replied: (1)–(3) I am very pleased to have the first question in question time having resumed the role as Minister for Health, and I acknowledge the role of my predecessor, who is now sitting a little further away from the Premier. The member for Dawesville was very committed to redevelopment of the Western Australian health system over seven and a half years and I acknowledge and compliment him on his role. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr R.H. Cook : Have you got a hoverboard this time? Mr J.H.D. DAY : Is the member for Kwinana actually interested in an intelligent answer, or is he just going to talk over? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr J.H.D. DAY : Mr Speaker, the opposition has a problem. They need to understand that if major new infrastructure is going to be provided by the Western Australian government, it has to be paid for somehow. They do not seem to appreciate that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
I refer to the reported increases in the cost of parking at the new children’s hospital compared with the current rates at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and to the Premier’s comment in relation to the new charge of $23 a day as, “It is fair.” (1) Does the minister agree with the Premier that slugging the parents of sick children with this dramatic increase in parking is fair? (2) Will the government be subsidising concessional parking for these parents? (3) How will the government measure the degree of subsidy required by families in need? Mr J.H.D. DAY replied: (1)–(3) I am very pleased to have the first question in question time having resumed the role as Minister for Health, and I acknowledge the role of my predecessor, who is now sitting a little further away from the Premier. The member for Dawesville was very committed to redevelopment of the Western Australian health system over seven and a half years and I acknowledge and compliment him on his role. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr R.H. Cook : Have you got a hoverboard this time? Mr J.H.D. DAY : Is the member for Kwinana actually interested in an intelligent answer, or is he just going to talk over? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr J.H.D. DAY : Mr Speaker, the opposition has a problem. They need to understand that if major new infrastructure is going to be provided by the Western Australian government, it has to be paid for somehow. They do not seem to appreciate that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
(1) Does the minister agree with the Premier that slugging the parents of sick children with this dramatic increase in parking is fair? (2) Will the government be subsidising concessional parking for these parents? (3) How will the government measure the degree of subsidy required by families in need? Mr J.H.D. DAY replied: (1)–(3) I am very pleased to have the first question in question time having resumed the role as Minister for Health, and I acknowledge the role of my predecessor, who is now sitting a little further away from the Premier. The member for Dawesville was very committed to redevelopment of the Western Australian health system over seven and a half years and I acknowledge and compliment him on his role. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr R.H. Cook : Have you got a hoverboard this time? Mr J.H.D. DAY : Is the member for Kwinana actually interested in an intelligent answer, or is he just going to talk over? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr J.H.D. DAY : Mr Speaker, the opposition has a problem. They need to understand that if major new infrastructure is going to be provided by the Western Australian government, it has to be paid for somehow. They do not seem to appreciate that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
(2) Will the government be subsidising concessional parking for these parents? (3) How will the government measure the degree of subsidy required by families in need? Mr J.H.D. DAY replied: (1)–(3) I am very pleased to have the first question in question time having resumed the role as Minister for Health, and I acknowledge the role of my predecessor, who is now sitting a little further away from the Premier. The member for Dawesville was very committed to redevelopment of the Western Australian health system over seven and a half years and I acknowledge and compliment him on his role. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr R.H. Cook : Have you got a hoverboard this time? Mr J.H.D. DAY : Is the member for Kwinana actually interested in an intelligent answer, or is he just going to talk over? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr J.H.D. DAY : Mr Speaker, the opposition has a problem. They need to understand that if major new infrastructure is going to be provided by the Western Australian government, it has to be paid for somehow. They do not seem to appreciate that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
(3) How will the government measure the degree of subsidy required by families in need? Mr J.H.D. DAY replied: (1)–(3) I am very pleased to have the first question in question time having resumed the role as Minister for Health, and I acknowledge the role of my predecessor, who is now sitting a little further away from the Premier. The member for Dawesville was very committed to redevelopment of the Western Australian health system over seven and a half years and I acknowledge and compliment him on his role. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr R.H. Cook : Have you got a hoverboard this time? Mr J.H.D. DAY : Is the member for Kwinana actually interested in an intelligent answer, or is he just going to talk over? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr J.H.D. DAY : Mr Speaker, the opposition has a problem. They need to understand that if major new infrastructure is going to be provided by the Western Australian government, it has to be paid for somehow. They do not seem to appreciate that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
Mr J.H.D. DAY replied: (1)–(3) I am very pleased to have the first question in question time having resumed the role as Minister for Health, and I acknowledge the role of my predecessor, who is now sitting a little further away from the Premier. The member for Dawesville was very committed to redevelopment of the Western Australian health system over seven and a half years and I acknowledge and compliment him on his role. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr R.H. Cook : Have you got a hoverboard this time? Mr J.H.D. DAY : Is the member for Kwinana actually interested in an intelligent answer, or is he just going to talk over? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr J.H.D. DAY : Mr Speaker, the opposition has a problem. They need to understand that if major new infrastructure is going to be provided by the Western Australian government, it has to be paid for somehow. They do not seem to appreciate that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
(1)–(3) I am very pleased to have the first question in question time having resumed the role as Minister for Health, and I acknowledge the role of my predecessor, who is now sitting a little further away from the Premier. The member for Dawesville was very committed to redevelopment of the Western Australian health system over seven and a half years and I acknowledge and compliment him on his role. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr R.H. Cook : Have you got a hoverboard this time? Mr J.H.D. DAY : Is the member for Kwinana actually interested in an intelligent answer, or is he just going to talk over? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr J.H.D. DAY : Mr Speaker, the opposition has a problem. They need to understand that if major new infrastructure is going to be provided by the Western Australian government, it has to be paid for somehow. They do not seem to appreciate that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr R.H. Cook : Have you got a hoverboard this time? Mr J.H.D. DAY : Is the member for Kwinana actually interested in an intelligent answer, or is he just going to talk over? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr J.H.D. DAY : Mr Speaker, the opposition has a problem. They need to understand that if major new infrastructure is going to be provided by the Western Australian government, it has to be paid for somehow. They do not seem to appreciate that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr R.H. Cook : Have you got a hoverboard this time? Mr J.H.D. DAY : Is the member for Kwinana actually interested in an intelligent answer, or is he just going to talk over? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr J.H.D. DAY : Mr Speaker, the opposition has a problem. They need to understand that if major new infrastructure is going to be provided by the Western Australian government, it has to be paid for somehow. They do not seem to appreciate that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
Mr R.H. Cook : Have you got a hoverboard this time? Mr J.H.D. DAY : Is the member for Kwinana actually interested in an intelligent answer, or is he just going to talk over? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr J.H.D. DAY : Mr Speaker, the opposition has a problem. They need to understand that if major new infrastructure is going to be provided by the Western Australian government, it has to be paid for somehow. They do not seem to appreciate that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
Mr J.H.D. DAY : Is the member for Kwinana actually interested in an intelligent answer, or is he just going to talk over? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr J.H.D. DAY : Mr Speaker, the opposition has a problem. They need to understand that if major new infrastructure is going to be provided by the Western Australian government, it has to be paid for somehow. They do not seem to appreciate that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr J.H.D. DAY : Mr Speaker, the opposition has a problem. They need to understand that if major new infrastructure is going to be provided by the Western Australian government, it has to be paid for somehow. They do not seem to appreciate that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr J.H.D. DAY : Mr Speaker, the opposition has a problem. They need to understand that if major new infrastructure is going to be provided by the Western Australian government, it has to be paid for somehow. They do not seem to appreciate that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
Mr J.H.D. DAY : Mr Speaker, the opposition has a problem. They need to understand that if major new infrastructure is going to be provided by the Western Australian government, it has to be paid for somehow. They do not seem to appreciate that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park! Right, we have had a bit of fun, I want to hear the answer. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
Mr J.H.D. DAY : With the major redevelopment of substantial health infrastructure on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, there has been a need for a large increase in the number of parking bays, hence the government went through a process to procure the multilevel car park that is now there. Somehow or other it had to be funded. It had to be funded out of the consolidated fund, out of the health budget or, as far as reasonably possible, on a user-pays basis. I think most people would expect that users of parking should pay for it one way or another. It is a $125 million facility and the opposition does not seem to appreciate the fact that somehow or other that money has to be provided. They go on in relation to the issues of state debt and the fact that we have a higher level of debt than any of us would like at the moment, so the government made a decision about five years ago to involve the private sector in the provision of the major new car park facility on the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site. In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
In relation to the costs, we will be having a debate about this after question time, so some of these issues will be covered then. In comparison with children’s hospital hourly rates in other parts of Australia—I am relying on the Channel Seven news report last week; I think we can take that as gospel—the cost in Brisbane is $14 an hour; in Melbourne, $8 an hour; in Sydney at Westmead Hospital, $5 an hour; Adelaide, $5 an hour; and in Perth, $3.30 an hour — A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
A member interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, have you changed your seat in the new seating plan? Right, I do not want to hear from you again. Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
Mr J.H.D. DAY : It is the lowest hourly rate, compared with all of those other major locations around Australia. In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
In relation to the need for concessions to be provided to families with a higher need, there are arrangements in place at the moment for families of children at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and there will be similar arrangements put in place for the new Perth Children’s Hospital. Those details are under discussion at the moment between the Department of Health and the Health Consumers’ Council and there will be a regime determined. Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
Mr R.H. Cook : What are they? Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
Mr J.H.D. DAY : The hospital is not actually open yet, but as I said, I expect there will be similar arrangements to those which exist at the Princess Margaret Hospital site. It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
It is important to understand that there is a cost in doing so. The cost at the moment, which includes subsidies at the existing locations, comes out of the health budget and that will no doubt continue to be the case. Somehow or other these facilities have to be paid for, but we will make sure an appropriate regime is in place for those who need concessions.
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