❓ Mr. Cook questions the Minister for Health about delays in the Fiona Stanley Hospital Serco contract and the associated costs. The Minister's response is evasive regarding specific dates, leading to interjections and disorder.
AnsweredQoN 217Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
FIONA STANLEY HOSPITAL — SERCO CONTRACT
217. Mr R.H. COOK to the Minister for Health:
I have a supplementary question.
(1) If the
minister has known for at least three years about these delays, why has he
waited until now to mitigate these costs?
(2) What is the estimate from his department about the nature
of these costs to taxpayers?
217. Mr R.H. COOK to the Minister for Health:
I have a supplementary question.
(1) If the
minister has known for at least three years about these delays, why has he
waited until now to mitigate these costs?
(2) What is the estimate from his department about the nature
of these costs to taxpayers?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2)
It was not possible to start a process of even negotiation for the mitigation
of cost until we were certain it was not going to be ready on time. We have
only known —
Mr M. McGowan : You've
known for a long time.
Dr K.D. HAMES : No,
what I said we have known for a long time—the Leader of the Opposition
just does not listen —
Mr M. McGowan :
When did you know then?
Dr K.D. HAMES : I
will repeat what I said so that even the Leader of the Opposition can
understand.
Several members interjected.
Dr K.D. HAMES : I
said that it has been known for years that there is a potential risk to the
date of opening; we have not known that that risk has eventuated until recent
times.
Mr R.H. Cook : That
is the question—when?
Dr K.D. HAMES : If
opposition members keep saying ''when'' collectively over and
over again, it makes it very difficult to answer.
Mr W.J. Johnston interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Minister, just
wind up your answer if you have anything further to add.
Dr K.D. HAMES : I
do not know the exact date on which I knew. If the member had given me some
notice, I would have been able to give him that. But the exact confirmation of
date was within the last few months.
It was not possible to start a process of even negotiation for the mitigation
of cost until we were certain it was not going to be ready on time. We have
only known —
Mr M. McGowan : You've
known for a long time.
Dr K.D. HAMES : No,
what I said we have known for a long time—the Leader of the Opposition
just does not listen —
Mr M. McGowan :
When did you know then?
Dr K.D. HAMES : I
will repeat what I said so that even the Leader of the Opposition can
understand.
Several members interjected.
Dr K.D. HAMES : I
said that it has been known for years that there is a potential risk to the
date of opening; we have not known that that risk has eventuated until recent
times.
Mr R.H. Cook : That
is the question—when?
Dr K.D. HAMES : If
opposition members keep saying ''when'' collectively over and
over again, it makes it very difficult to answer.
Mr W.J. Johnston interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Minister, just
wind up your answer if you have anything further to add.
Dr K.D. HAMES : I
do not know the exact date on which I knew. If the member had given me some
notice, I would have been able to give him that. But the exact confirmation of
date was within the last few months.
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