❓ Dr. Hames questions the Minister for Health about low salaries and poor conditions for dental health service workers, leading to staff shortages. The Minister acknowledges the problem and promises to expedite negotiations.
AnsweredQoN 177Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DENTAL HEALTH SERVICE WORKERS
I refer to the large number of dental health service workers who rallied outside Parliament House today, many of whom now fill the public gallery. Their placards read: “dental services decay”, “staff leaving for the private sector”, “less staff, less services”, “no staff, no services” — The SPEAKER : I do not know how many placards the member intends to read, but we have got the message. Just ask the question. Dr K.D. HAMES : When will the minister negotiate seriously with dental health service workers and bring their conditions and salaries into the twenty-first century? Mr J.A. McGINTY
I refer to the large number of dental health service workers who rallied outside Parliament House today, many of whom now fill the public gallery. Their placards read: “dental services decay”, “staff leaving for the private sector”, “less staff, less services”, “no staff, no services” — The SPEAKER : I do not know how many placards the member intends to read, but we have got the message. Just ask the question. Dr K.D. HAMES : When will the minister negotiate seriously with dental health service workers and bring their conditions and salaries into the twenty-first century? Mr J.A. McGINTY
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Dawesville for that question because I think we have a common view on this issue. The current applicable salaries are inadequate for dental staff, particularly those who are working in the school dental service, but in the dental services generally; I unhappily acknowledge that. This requires attention. In recent days I have — Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am acknowledging that. I will give members an example. An 18-year-old trained dental clinical assistant gets paid about $12 an hour. That indicates the nature of the problems. [Interruption from the gallery.] The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The people in the public gallery are more than welcome to be here and to observe Parliament. However, unfortunately for them, they are not permitted to participate in the proceedings. Interjections will result in the removal of the people who interject. As I said, they are more than welcome to be here to observe the proceedings but they cannot disrupt Parliament. Mr J.A. McGINTY : Even a level 1 trained dental clinic assistant is on something like $16.60 an hour. I think that everyone would acknowledge that that is an unacceptable rate of pay. It manifests itself in this way. We are increasingly unable to attract or retain staff, not only at the dental clinic assistant level, but also at the hygienist and dentist level. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Dr K.D. Hames : Are you surprised by that? You have been here for seven years. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am answering the member’s question. In order to continue to provide that service, I have in recent times spoken with both the Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Peter Flett, and the Executive Director of Public Health, about the significant need to expedite the work they are doing on this issue to resolve the problem in order to be able to continue to provide the service. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
The SPEAKER : I do not know how many placards the member intends to read, but we have got the message. Just ask the question. Dr K.D. HAMES : When will the minister negotiate seriously with dental health service workers and bring their conditions and salaries into the twenty-first century? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I thank the member for Dawesville for that question because I think we have a common view on this issue. The current applicable salaries are inadequate for dental staff, particularly those who are working in the school dental service, but in the dental services generally; I unhappily acknowledge that. This requires attention. In recent days I have — Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am acknowledging that. I will give members an example. An 18-year-old trained dental clinical assistant gets paid about $12 an hour. That indicates the nature of the problems. [Interruption from the gallery.] The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The people in the public gallery are more than welcome to be here and to observe Parliament. However, unfortunately for them, they are not permitted to participate in the proceedings. Interjections will result in the removal of the people who interject. As I said, they are more than welcome to be here to observe the proceedings but they cannot disrupt Parliament. Mr J.A. McGINTY : Even a level 1 trained dental clinic assistant is on something like $16.60 an hour. I think that everyone would acknowledge that that is an unacceptable rate of pay. It manifests itself in this way. We are increasingly unable to attract or retain staff, not only at the dental clinic assistant level, but also at the hygienist and dentist level. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Dr K.D. Hames : Are you surprised by that? You have been here for seven years. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am answering the member’s question. In order to continue to provide that service, I have in recent times spoken with both the Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Peter Flett, and the Executive Director of Public Health, about the significant need to expedite the work they are doing on this issue to resolve the problem in order to be able to continue to provide the service. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Dr K.D. HAMES : When will the minister negotiate seriously with dental health service workers and bring their conditions and salaries into the twenty-first century? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I thank the member for Dawesville for that question because I think we have a common view on this issue. The current applicable salaries are inadequate for dental staff, particularly those who are working in the school dental service, but in the dental services generally; I unhappily acknowledge that. This requires attention. In recent days I have — Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am acknowledging that. I will give members an example. An 18-year-old trained dental clinical assistant gets paid about $12 an hour. That indicates the nature of the problems. [Interruption from the gallery.] The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The people in the public gallery are more than welcome to be here and to observe Parliament. However, unfortunately for them, they are not permitted to participate in the proceedings. Interjections will result in the removal of the people who interject. As I said, they are more than welcome to be here to observe the proceedings but they cannot disrupt Parliament. Mr J.A. McGINTY : Even a level 1 trained dental clinic assistant is on something like $16.60 an hour. I think that everyone would acknowledge that that is an unacceptable rate of pay. It manifests itself in this way. We are increasingly unable to attract or retain staff, not only at the dental clinic assistant level, but also at the hygienist and dentist level. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Dr K.D. Hames : Are you surprised by that? You have been here for seven years. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am answering the member’s question. In order to continue to provide that service, I have in recent times spoken with both the Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Peter Flett, and the Executive Director of Public Health, about the significant need to expedite the work they are doing on this issue to resolve the problem in order to be able to continue to provide the service. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I thank the member for Dawesville for that question because I think we have a common view on this issue. The current applicable salaries are inadequate for dental staff, particularly those who are working in the school dental service, but in the dental services generally; I unhappily acknowledge that. This requires attention. In recent days I have — Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am acknowledging that. I will give members an example. An 18-year-old trained dental clinical assistant gets paid about $12 an hour. That indicates the nature of the problems. [Interruption from the gallery.] The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The people in the public gallery are more than welcome to be here and to observe Parliament. However, unfortunately for them, they are not permitted to participate in the proceedings. Interjections will result in the removal of the people who interject. As I said, they are more than welcome to be here to observe the proceedings but they cannot disrupt Parliament. Mr J.A. McGINTY : Even a level 1 trained dental clinic assistant is on something like $16.60 an hour. I think that everyone would acknowledge that that is an unacceptable rate of pay. It manifests itself in this way. We are increasingly unable to attract or retain staff, not only at the dental clinic assistant level, but also at the hygienist and dentist level. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Dr K.D. Hames : Are you surprised by that? You have been here for seven years. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am answering the member’s question. In order to continue to provide that service, I have in recent times spoken with both the Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Peter Flett, and the Executive Director of Public Health, about the significant need to expedite the work they are doing on this issue to resolve the problem in order to be able to continue to provide the service. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
I thank the member for Dawesville for that question because I think we have a common view on this issue. The current applicable salaries are inadequate for dental staff, particularly those who are working in the school dental service, but in the dental services generally; I unhappily acknowledge that. This requires attention. In recent days I have — Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am acknowledging that. I will give members an example. An 18-year-old trained dental clinical assistant gets paid about $12 an hour. That indicates the nature of the problems. [Interruption from the gallery.] The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The people in the public gallery are more than welcome to be here and to observe Parliament. However, unfortunately for them, they are not permitted to participate in the proceedings. Interjections will result in the removal of the people who interject. As I said, they are more than welcome to be here to observe the proceedings but they cannot disrupt Parliament. Mr J.A. McGINTY : Even a level 1 trained dental clinic assistant is on something like $16.60 an hour. I think that everyone would acknowledge that that is an unacceptable rate of pay. It manifests itself in this way. We are increasingly unable to attract or retain staff, not only at the dental clinic assistant level, but also at the hygienist and dentist level. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Dr K.D. Hames : Are you surprised by that? You have been here for seven years. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am answering the member’s question. In order to continue to provide that service, I have in recent times spoken with both the Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Peter Flett, and the Executive Director of Public Health, about the significant need to expedite the work they are doing on this issue to resolve the problem in order to be able to continue to provide the service. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am acknowledging that. I will give members an example. An 18-year-old trained dental clinical assistant gets paid about $12 an hour. That indicates the nature of the problems. [Interruption from the gallery.] The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The people in the public gallery are more than welcome to be here and to observe Parliament. However, unfortunately for them, they are not permitted to participate in the proceedings. Interjections will result in the removal of the people who interject. As I said, they are more than welcome to be here to observe the proceedings but they cannot disrupt Parliament. Mr J.A. McGINTY : Even a level 1 trained dental clinic assistant is on something like $16.60 an hour. I think that everyone would acknowledge that that is an unacceptable rate of pay. It manifests itself in this way. We are increasingly unable to attract or retain staff, not only at the dental clinic assistant level, but also at the hygienist and dentist level. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Dr K.D. Hames : Are you surprised by that? You have been here for seven years. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am answering the member’s question. In order to continue to provide that service, I have in recent times spoken with both the Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Peter Flett, and the Executive Director of Public Health, about the significant need to expedite the work they are doing on this issue to resolve the problem in order to be able to continue to provide the service. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am acknowledging that. I will give members an example. An 18-year-old trained dental clinical assistant gets paid about $12 an hour. That indicates the nature of the problems. [Interruption from the gallery.] The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The people in the public gallery are more than welcome to be here and to observe Parliament. However, unfortunately for them, they are not permitted to participate in the proceedings. Interjections will result in the removal of the people who interject. As I said, they are more than welcome to be here to observe the proceedings but they cannot disrupt Parliament. Mr J.A. McGINTY : Even a level 1 trained dental clinic assistant is on something like $16.60 an hour. I think that everyone would acknowledge that that is an unacceptable rate of pay. It manifests itself in this way. We are increasingly unable to attract or retain staff, not only at the dental clinic assistant level, but also at the hygienist and dentist level. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Dr K.D. Hames : Are you surprised by that? You have been here for seven years. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am answering the member’s question. In order to continue to provide that service, I have in recent times spoken with both the Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Peter Flett, and the Executive Director of Public Health, about the significant need to expedite the work they are doing on this issue to resolve the problem in order to be able to continue to provide the service. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
[Interruption from the gallery.] The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The people in the public gallery are more than welcome to be here and to observe Parliament. However, unfortunately for them, they are not permitted to participate in the proceedings. Interjections will result in the removal of the people who interject. As I said, they are more than welcome to be here to observe the proceedings but they cannot disrupt Parliament. Mr J.A. McGINTY : Even a level 1 trained dental clinic assistant is on something like $16.60 an hour. I think that everyone would acknowledge that that is an unacceptable rate of pay. It manifests itself in this way. We are increasingly unable to attract or retain staff, not only at the dental clinic assistant level, but also at the hygienist and dentist level. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Dr K.D. Hames : Are you surprised by that? You have been here for seven years. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am answering the member’s question. In order to continue to provide that service, I have in recent times spoken with both the Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Peter Flett, and the Executive Director of Public Health, about the significant need to expedite the work they are doing on this issue to resolve the problem in order to be able to continue to provide the service. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The people in the public gallery are more than welcome to be here and to observe Parliament. However, unfortunately for them, they are not permitted to participate in the proceedings. Interjections will result in the removal of the people who interject. As I said, they are more than welcome to be here to observe the proceedings but they cannot disrupt Parliament. Mr J.A. McGINTY : Even a level 1 trained dental clinic assistant is on something like $16.60 an hour. I think that everyone would acknowledge that that is an unacceptable rate of pay. It manifests itself in this way. We are increasingly unable to attract or retain staff, not only at the dental clinic assistant level, but also at the hygienist and dentist level. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Dr K.D. Hames : Are you surprised by that? You have been here for seven years. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am answering the member’s question. In order to continue to provide that service, I have in recent times spoken with both the Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Peter Flett, and the Executive Director of Public Health, about the significant need to expedite the work they are doing on this issue to resolve the problem in order to be able to continue to provide the service. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : Even a level 1 trained dental clinic assistant is on something like $16.60 an hour. I think that everyone would acknowledge that that is an unacceptable rate of pay. It manifests itself in this way. We are increasingly unable to attract or retain staff, not only at the dental clinic assistant level, but also at the hygienist and dentist level. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Dr K.D. Hames : Are you surprised by that? You have been here for seven years. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am answering the member’s question. In order to continue to provide that service, I have in recent times spoken with both the Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Peter Flett, and the Executive Director of Public Health, about the significant need to expedite the work they are doing on this issue to resolve the problem in order to be able to continue to provide the service. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Dr K.D. Hames : Are you surprised by that? You have been here for seven years. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am answering the member’s question. In order to continue to provide that service, I have in recent times spoken with both the Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Peter Flett, and the Executive Director of Public Health, about the significant need to expedite the work they are doing on this issue to resolve the problem in order to be able to continue to provide the service. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Dr K.D. Hames : Are you surprised by that? You have been here for seven years. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am answering the member’s question. In order to continue to provide that service, I have in recent times spoken with both the Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Peter Flett, and the Executive Director of Public Health, about the significant need to expedite the work they are doing on this issue to resolve the problem in order to be able to continue to provide the service. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Dr K.D. Hames : Are you surprised by that? You have been here for seven years. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am answering the member’s question. In order to continue to provide that service, I have in recent times spoken with both the Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Peter Flett, and the Executive Director of Public Health, about the significant need to expedite the work they are doing on this issue to resolve the problem in order to be able to continue to provide the service. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am answering the member’s question. In order to continue to provide that service, I have in recent times spoken with both the Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Peter Flett, and the Executive Director of Public Health, about the significant need to expedite the work they are doing on this issue to resolve the problem in order to be able to continue to provide the service. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
The SPEAKER : I do not know how many placards the member intends to read, but we have got the message. Just ask the question. Dr K.D. HAMES : When will the minister negotiate seriously with dental health service workers and bring their conditions and salaries into the twenty-first century? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I thank the member for Dawesville for that question because I think we have a common view on this issue. The current applicable salaries are inadequate for dental staff, particularly those who are working in the school dental service, but in the dental services generally; I unhappily acknowledge that. This requires attention. In recent days I have — Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am acknowledging that. I will give members an example. An 18-year-old trained dental clinical assistant gets paid about $12 an hour. That indicates the nature of the problems. [Interruption from the gallery.] The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The people in the public gallery are more than welcome to be here and to observe Parliament. However, unfortunately for them, they are not permitted to participate in the proceedings. Interjections will result in the removal of the people who interject. As I said, they are more than welcome to be here to observe the proceedings but they cannot disrupt Parliament. Mr J.A. McGINTY : Even a level 1 trained dental clinic assistant is on something like $16.60 an hour. I think that everyone would acknowledge that that is an unacceptable rate of pay. It manifests itself in this way. We are increasingly unable to attract or retain staff, not only at the dental clinic assistant level, but also at the hygienist and dentist level. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Dr K.D. Hames : Are you surprised by that? You have been here for seven years. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am answering the member’s question. In order to continue to provide that service, I have in recent times spoken with both the Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Peter Flett, and the Executive Director of Public Health, about the significant need to expedite the work they are doing on this issue to resolve the problem in order to be able to continue to provide the service. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Dr K.D. HAMES : When will the minister negotiate seriously with dental health service workers and bring their conditions and salaries into the twenty-first century? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I thank the member for Dawesville for that question because I think we have a common view on this issue. The current applicable salaries are inadequate for dental staff, particularly those who are working in the school dental service, but in the dental services generally; I unhappily acknowledge that. This requires attention. In recent days I have — Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am acknowledging that. I will give members an example. An 18-year-old trained dental clinical assistant gets paid about $12 an hour. That indicates the nature of the problems. [Interruption from the gallery.] The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The people in the public gallery are more than welcome to be here and to observe Parliament. However, unfortunately for them, they are not permitted to participate in the proceedings. Interjections will result in the removal of the people who interject. As I said, they are more than welcome to be here to observe the proceedings but they cannot disrupt Parliament. Mr J.A. McGINTY : Even a level 1 trained dental clinic assistant is on something like $16.60 an hour. I think that everyone would acknowledge that that is an unacceptable rate of pay. It manifests itself in this way. We are increasingly unable to attract or retain staff, not only at the dental clinic assistant level, but also at the hygienist and dentist level. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Dr K.D. Hames : Are you surprised by that? You have been here for seven years. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am answering the member’s question. In order to continue to provide that service, I have in recent times spoken with both the Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Peter Flett, and the Executive Director of Public Health, about the significant need to expedite the work they are doing on this issue to resolve the problem in order to be able to continue to provide the service. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I thank the member for Dawesville for that question because I think we have a common view on this issue. The current applicable salaries are inadequate for dental staff, particularly those who are working in the school dental service, but in the dental services generally; I unhappily acknowledge that. This requires attention. In recent days I have — Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am acknowledging that. I will give members an example. An 18-year-old trained dental clinical assistant gets paid about $12 an hour. That indicates the nature of the problems. [Interruption from the gallery.] The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The people in the public gallery are more than welcome to be here and to observe Parliament. However, unfortunately for them, they are not permitted to participate in the proceedings. Interjections will result in the removal of the people who interject. As I said, they are more than welcome to be here to observe the proceedings but they cannot disrupt Parliament. Mr J.A. McGINTY : Even a level 1 trained dental clinic assistant is on something like $16.60 an hour. I think that everyone would acknowledge that that is an unacceptable rate of pay. It manifests itself in this way. We are increasingly unable to attract or retain staff, not only at the dental clinic assistant level, but also at the hygienist and dentist level. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Dr K.D. Hames : Are you surprised by that? You have been here for seven years. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am answering the member’s question. In order to continue to provide that service, I have in recent times spoken with both the Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Peter Flett, and the Executive Director of Public Health, about the significant need to expedite the work they are doing on this issue to resolve the problem in order to be able to continue to provide the service. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
I thank the member for Dawesville for that question because I think we have a common view on this issue. The current applicable salaries are inadequate for dental staff, particularly those who are working in the school dental service, but in the dental services generally; I unhappily acknowledge that. This requires attention. In recent days I have — Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am acknowledging that. I will give members an example. An 18-year-old trained dental clinical assistant gets paid about $12 an hour. That indicates the nature of the problems. [Interruption from the gallery.] The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The people in the public gallery are more than welcome to be here and to observe Parliament. However, unfortunately for them, they are not permitted to participate in the proceedings. Interjections will result in the removal of the people who interject. As I said, they are more than welcome to be here to observe the proceedings but they cannot disrupt Parliament. Mr J.A. McGINTY : Even a level 1 trained dental clinic assistant is on something like $16.60 an hour. I think that everyone would acknowledge that that is an unacceptable rate of pay. It manifests itself in this way. We are increasingly unable to attract or retain staff, not only at the dental clinic assistant level, but also at the hygienist and dentist level. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Dr K.D. Hames : Are you surprised by that? You have been here for seven years. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am answering the member’s question. In order to continue to provide that service, I have in recent times spoken with both the Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Peter Flett, and the Executive Director of Public Health, about the significant need to expedite the work they are doing on this issue to resolve the problem in order to be able to continue to provide the service. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am acknowledging that. I will give members an example. An 18-year-old trained dental clinical assistant gets paid about $12 an hour. That indicates the nature of the problems. [Interruption from the gallery.] The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The people in the public gallery are more than welcome to be here and to observe Parliament. However, unfortunately for them, they are not permitted to participate in the proceedings. Interjections will result in the removal of the people who interject. As I said, they are more than welcome to be here to observe the proceedings but they cannot disrupt Parliament. Mr J.A. McGINTY : Even a level 1 trained dental clinic assistant is on something like $16.60 an hour. I think that everyone would acknowledge that that is an unacceptable rate of pay. It manifests itself in this way. We are increasingly unable to attract or retain staff, not only at the dental clinic assistant level, but also at the hygienist and dentist level. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Dr K.D. Hames : Are you surprised by that? You have been here for seven years. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am answering the member’s question. In order to continue to provide that service, I have in recent times spoken with both the Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Peter Flett, and the Executive Director of Public Health, about the significant need to expedite the work they are doing on this issue to resolve the problem in order to be able to continue to provide the service. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am acknowledging that. I will give members an example. An 18-year-old trained dental clinical assistant gets paid about $12 an hour. That indicates the nature of the problems. [Interruption from the gallery.] The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The people in the public gallery are more than welcome to be here and to observe Parliament. However, unfortunately for them, they are not permitted to participate in the proceedings. Interjections will result in the removal of the people who interject. As I said, they are more than welcome to be here to observe the proceedings but they cannot disrupt Parliament. Mr J.A. McGINTY : Even a level 1 trained dental clinic assistant is on something like $16.60 an hour. I think that everyone would acknowledge that that is an unacceptable rate of pay. It manifests itself in this way. We are increasingly unable to attract or retain staff, not only at the dental clinic assistant level, but also at the hygienist and dentist level. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Dr K.D. Hames : Are you surprised by that? You have been here for seven years. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am answering the member’s question. In order to continue to provide that service, I have in recent times spoken with both the Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Peter Flett, and the Executive Director of Public Health, about the significant need to expedite the work they are doing on this issue to resolve the problem in order to be able to continue to provide the service. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
[Interruption from the gallery.] The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The people in the public gallery are more than welcome to be here and to observe Parliament. However, unfortunately for them, they are not permitted to participate in the proceedings. Interjections will result in the removal of the people who interject. As I said, they are more than welcome to be here to observe the proceedings but they cannot disrupt Parliament. Mr J.A. McGINTY : Even a level 1 trained dental clinic assistant is on something like $16.60 an hour. I think that everyone would acknowledge that that is an unacceptable rate of pay. It manifests itself in this way. We are increasingly unable to attract or retain staff, not only at the dental clinic assistant level, but also at the hygienist and dentist level. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Dr K.D. Hames : Are you surprised by that? You have been here for seven years. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am answering the member’s question. In order to continue to provide that service, I have in recent times spoken with both the Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Peter Flett, and the Executive Director of Public Health, about the significant need to expedite the work they are doing on this issue to resolve the problem in order to be able to continue to provide the service. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The people in the public gallery are more than welcome to be here and to observe Parliament. However, unfortunately for them, they are not permitted to participate in the proceedings. Interjections will result in the removal of the people who interject. As I said, they are more than welcome to be here to observe the proceedings but they cannot disrupt Parliament. Mr J.A. McGINTY : Even a level 1 trained dental clinic assistant is on something like $16.60 an hour. I think that everyone would acknowledge that that is an unacceptable rate of pay. It manifests itself in this way. We are increasingly unable to attract or retain staff, not only at the dental clinic assistant level, but also at the hygienist and dentist level. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Dr K.D. Hames : Are you surprised by that? You have been here for seven years. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am answering the member’s question. In order to continue to provide that service, I have in recent times spoken with both the Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Peter Flett, and the Executive Director of Public Health, about the significant need to expedite the work they are doing on this issue to resolve the problem in order to be able to continue to provide the service. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : Even a level 1 trained dental clinic assistant is on something like $16.60 an hour. I think that everyone would acknowledge that that is an unacceptable rate of pay. It manifests itself in this way. We are increasingly unable to attract or retain staff, not only at the dental clinic assistant level, but also at the hygienist and dentist level. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Dr K.D. Hames : Are you surprised by that? You have been here for seven years. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am answering the member’s question. In order to continue to provide that service, I have in recent times spoken with both the Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Peter Flett, and the Executive Director of Public Health, about the significant need to expedite the work they are doing on this issue to resolve the problem in order to be able to continue to provide the service. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Dr K.D. Hames : Are you surprised by that? You have been here for seven years. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am answering the member’s question. In order to continue to provide that service, I have in recent times spoken with both the Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Peter Flett, and the Executive Director of Public Health, about the significant need to expedite the work they are doing on this issue to resolve the problem in order to be able to continue to provide the service. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Dr K.D. Hames : Are you surprised by that? You have been here for seven years. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am answering the member’s question. In order to continue to provide that service, I have in recent times spoken with both the Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Peter Flett, and the Executive Director of Public Health, about the significant need to expedite the work they are doing on this issue to resolve the problem in order to be able to continue to provide the service. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Dr K.D. Hames : Are you surprised by that? You have been here for seven years. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am answering the member’s question. In order to continue to provide that service, I have in recent times spoken with both the Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Peter Flett, and the Executive Director of Public Health, about the significant need to expedite the work they are doing on this issue to resolve the problem in order to be able to continue to provide the service. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am answering the member’s question. In order to continue to provide that service, I have in recent times spoken with both the Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Peter Flett, and the Executive Director of Public Health, about the significant need to expedite the work they are doing on this issue to resolve the problem in order to be able to continue to provide the service. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : Two hundred and forty-one thousand schoolchildren in this state are involved with the school dental service. The coverage offered by that service to Western Australian schoolchildren is great. Historically, it has been the best service offered in the whole of Australia and we hope to build it up to that level once again. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : We want to resolve these issues because the level of salary that is currently paid is nowhere near sufficient enough to attract and retain people to provide this service. Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Dr J.M. Woollard : While you negotiate, children are in pain. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : I have indicated my sense of priorities in dealing with this matter and hopefully something can be brought to bear in discussions with the union and also with the other staff — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Dr G.G. Jacobs : Too much! What are you going to do? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : — with whom I have discussed this matter. Having received a delegation from the union a few months ago and having met people socially who have raised this matter with me has brought home to me the need to move expeditiously and not await the outcome of the rather lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Health to date involving drawing up a workforce plan and other such things of that nature. The situation is considerably more urgent than that and I intend to continue to engage in discussions with the union to resolve this matter for the benefit of schoolchildren in Western Australia. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the second time. I also call to order the members for Murray, Warren-Blackwood and Leschenault.
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