❓ The WA parliamentary question concerns the government's decision to indemnify doctors involved in inappropriate Medicare bulk-billing, the associated costs, and potential impact on community health programs. The Minister defends the decision as a necessary step to resolve a historical issue and prioritize healthcare spending.
AnsweredQoN 1379Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the minister to the Public Accounts Committee report on hospital trust accounts, which was tabled today and which found that this Government acted prematurely in indemnifying individual doctors identified in the Health Insurance Commission report as inappropriately bulk-billing Medicare. (1) Will the minister confirm that this premature admission of liability will cost taxpayers at least $600 000? (2) Why was no effort made to ensure that the doctors who were personally benefiting from bulk-billing Medicare were not indemnified at taxpayers’ expense? (3) How does the minister reconcile this potentially wasted money with his arbitrary decision to slash $12 million from deserving community-based health programs, such as mental health programs for children? Mr J.A. McGINTY
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I indicate that what occurred at the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children with regard to the trust accounts was a very unfortunate part of the recent history of the Department of Health. A lot of people were exposed who should not have been. The circumstances of the political intervention to override the health minister of the day, and the removal of Michael Moodie, reflected adversely on Governments in Western Australia in the late 1990s. Let us not forget who was at the helm when those events occurred during the late 1990s. Having said that, I am pleased that this report has been tabled in the Parliament today because it shows that significant allegations of wrongdoing in the late 1990s have been properly investigated by not only the Public Accounts Committee of this Parliament but also the Health Insurance Commission and the Auditor General. One matter has been referred to the federal police. Everyone in this State who has an interest in the public health system can now appreciate that this is the time to draw a line underneath this very unfortunate episode in our history and start again and get on with what hospitals are there for. I look forward to working cooperatively with the doctors to make sure that the health system can deliver excellent health care. It was important that this inquiry took place and was concluded. I compliment the member for Ballajura and his committee for the work they have done. Mr J.H.D. Day: If that wrongdoing took place, why have you jumped in and indemnified - Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am about to answer the question posed by the Leader of the Opposition. In satisfaction of the claim that has been made by the Health Insurance Commission, I can confirm that in the not too distant future we expect to be able to settle all outstanding claims for an amount approximate to the amount the Leader of the Opposition mentioned, which is marginally in excess of $600 000. Although it would be better if that money were spent on direct patient care, if that payment enables us to work with the doctors on how these matters should be dealt with properly - that is, aboveboard and with the full knowledge and approval of the federal Government and the Health Insurance Commission - to my mind a payment marginally in excess of $600 000 will be a small price to pay. The other matter the Leader of the Opposition raised was whether this money would be better spent on the areas that have been cut as a result of the budgetary needs of this Government. I make the point that although we have scrutinised each of the 470 non-government organisations that are funded by the Department of Health - some of which, although they are worthy, are low priorities for this Government - that money that has been cut will be directed into higher areas of priority. We have also looked at whether we can afford the new hospital developments at Geraldton and Moora. We have decided that we cannot. We will proceed with the more important hospital, which is the Geraldton hospital. We have also gone through the expenditure of the head office of the Department of Health and the teaching hospitals. We have made very significant reductions in proposed expenditures in each of those areas, as would be expected of a responsible Government. We must rein in what has been an expenditure of more than $100 million every year in living memory, with one exception. We will not stand by and allow that to continue. We stand by the decisions we have made to rein in these matters. Frankly, the PMH issue was a complete mess. It has now been properly investigated. I am grateful that it has now concluded and we can move on and properly deliver health care services in Western Australia.
(1) Will the minister confirm that this premature admission of liability will cost taxpayers at least $600 000? (2) Why was no effort made to ensure that the doctors who were personally benefiting from bulk-billing Medicare were not indemnified at taxpayers’ expense? (3) How does the minister reconcile this potentially wasted money with his arbitrary decision to slash $12 million from deserving community-based health programs, such as mental health programs for children? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I indicate that what occurred at the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children with regard to the trust accounts was a very unfortunate part of the recent history of the Department of Health. A lot of people were exposed who should not have been. The circumstances of the political intervention to override the health minister of the day, and the removal of Michael Moodie, reflected adversely on Governments in Western Australia in the late 1990s. Let us not forget who was at the helm when those events occurred during the late 1990s. Having said that, I am pleased that this report has been tabled in the Parliament today because it shows that significant allegations of wrongdoing in the late 1990s have been properly investigated by not only the Public Accounts Committee of this Parliament but also the Health Insurance Commission and the Auditor General. One matter has been referred to the federal police. Everyone in this State who has an interest in the public health system can now appreciate that this is the time to draw a line underneath this very unfortunate episode in our history and start again and get on with what hospitals are there for. I look forward to working cooperatively with the doctors to make sure that the health system can deliver excellent health care. It was important that this inquiry took place and was concluded. I compliment the member for Ballajura and his committee for the work they have done. Mr J.H.D. Day: If that wrongdoing took place, why have you jumped in and indemnified - Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am about to answer the question posed by the Leader of the Opposition. In satisfaction of the claim that has been made by the Health Insurance Commission, I can confirm that in the not too distant future we expect to be able to settle all outstanding claims for an amount approximate to the amount the Leader of the Opposition mentioned, which is marginally in excess of $600 000. Although it would be better if that money were spent on direct patient care, if that payment enables us to work with the doctors on how these matters should be dealt with properly - that is, aboveboard and with the full knowledge and approval of the federal Government and the Health Insurance Commission - to my mind a payment marginally in excess of $600 000 will be a small price to pay. The other matter the Leader of the Opposition raised was whether this money would be better spent on the areas that have been cut as a result of the budgetary needs of this Government. I make the point that although we have scrutinised each of the 470 non-government organisations that are funded by the Department of Health - some of which, although they are worthy, are low priorities for this Government - that money that has been cut will be directed into higher areas of priority. We have also looked at whether we can afford the new hospital developments at Geraldton and Moora. We have decided that we cannot. We will proceed with the more important hospital, which is the Geraldton hospital. We have also gone through the expenditure of the head office of the Department of Health and the teaching hospitals. We have made very significant reductions in proposed expenditures in each of those areas, as would be expected of a responsible Government. We must rein in what has been an expenditure of more than $100 million every year in living memory, with one exception. We will not stand by and allow that to continue. We stand by the decisions we have made to rein in these matters. Frankly, the PMH issue was a complete mess. It has now been properly investigated. I am grateful that it has now concluded and we can move on and properly deliver health care services in Western Australia.
(2) Why was no effort made to ensure that the doctors who were personally benefiting from bulk-billing Medicare were not indemnified at taxpayers’ expense? (3) How does the minister reconcile this potentially wasted money with his arbitrary decision to slash $12 million from deserving community-based health programs, such as mental health programs for children? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I indicate that what occurred at the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children with regard to the trust accounts was a very unfortunate part of the recent history of the Department of Health. A lot of people were exposed who should not have been. The circumstances of the political intervention to override the health minister of the day, and the removal of Michael Moodie, reflected adversely on Governments in Western Australia in the late 1990s. Let us not forget who was at the helm when those events occurred during the late 1990s. Having said that, I am pleased that this report has been tabled in the Parliament today because it shows that significant allegations of wrongdoing in the late 1990s have been properly investigated by not only the Public Accounts Committee of this Parliament but also the Health Insurance Commission and the Auditor General. One matter has been referred to the federal police. Everyone in this State who has an interest in the public health system can now appreciate that this is the time to draw a line underneath this very unfortunate episode in our history and start again and get on with what hospitals are there for. I look forward to working cooperatively with the doctors to make sure that the health system can deliver excellent health care. It was important that this inquiry took place and was concluded. I compliment the member for Ballajura and his committee for the work they have done. Mr J.H.D. Day: If that wrongdoing took place, why have you jumped in and indemnified - Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am about to answer the question posed by the Leader of the Opposition. In satisfaction of the claim that has been made by the Health Insurance Commission, I can confirm that in the not too distant future we expect to be able to settle all outstanding claims for an amount approximate to the amount the Leader of the Opposition mentioned, which is marginally in excess of $600 000. Although it would be better if that money were spent on direct patient care, if that payment enables us to work with the doctors on how these matters should be dealt with properly - that is, aboveboard and with the full knowledge and approval of the federal Government and the Health Insurance Commission - to my mind a payment marginally in excess of $600 000 will be a small price to pay. The other matter the Leader of the Opposition raised was whether this money would be better spent on the areas that have been cut as a result of the budgetary needs of this Government. I make the point that although we have scrutinised each of the 470 non-government organisations that are funded by the Department of Health - some of which, although they are worthy, are low priorities for this Government - that money that has been cut will be directed into higher areas of priority. We have also looked at whether we can afford the new hospital developments at Geraldton and Moora. We have decided that we cannot. We will proceed with the more important hospital, which is the Geraldton hospital. We have also gone through the expenditure of the head office of the Department of Health and the teaching hospitals. We have made very significant reductions in proposed expenditures in each of those areas, as would be expected of a responsible Government. We must rein in what has been an expenditure of more than $100 million every year in living memory, with one exception. We will not stand by and allow that to continue. We stand by the decisions we have made to rein in these matters. Frankly, the PMH issue was a complete mess. It has now been properly investigated. I am grateful that it has now concluded and we can move on and properly deliver health care services in Western Australia.
(3) How does the minister reconcile this potentially wasted money with his arbitrary decision to slash $12 million from deserving community-based health programs, such as mental health programs for children? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I indicate that what occurred at the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children with regard to the trust accounts was a very unfortunate part of the recent history of the Department of Health. A lot of people were exposed who should not have been. The circumstances of the political intervention to override the health minister of the day, and the removal of Michael Moodie, reflected adversely on Governments in Western Australia in the late 1990s. Let us not forget who was at the helm when those events occurred during the late 1990s. Having said that, I am pleased that this report has been tabled in the Parliament today because it shows that significant allegations of wrongdoing in the late 1990s have been properly investigated by not only the Public Accounts Committee of this Parliament but also the Health Insurance Commission and the Auditor General. One matter has been referred to the federal police. Everyone in this State who has an interest in the public health system can now appreciate that this is the time to draw a line underneath this very unfortunate episode in our history and start again and get on with what hospitals are there for. I look forward to working cooperatively with the doctors to make sure that the health system can deliver excellent health care. It was important that this inquiry took place and was concluded. I compliment the member for Ballajura and his committee for the work they have done. Mr J.H.D. Day: If that wrongdoing took place, why have you jumped in and indemnified - Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am about to answer the question posed by the Leader of the Opposition. In satisfaction of the claim that has been made by the Health Insurance Commission, I can confirm that in the not too distant future we expect to be able to settle all outstanding claims for an amount approximate to the amount the Leader of the Opposition mentioned, which is marginally in excess of $600 000. Although it would be better if that money were spent on direct patient care, if that payment enables us to work with the doctors on how these matters should be dealt with properly - that is, aboveboard and with the full knowledge and approval of the federal Government and the Health Insurance Commission - to my mind a payment marginally in excess of $600 000 will be a small price to pay. The other matter the Leader of the Opposition raised was whether this money would be better spent on the areas that have been cut as a result of the budgetary needs of this Government. I make the point that although we have scrutinised each of the 470 non-government organisations that are funded by the Department of Health - some of which, although they are worthy, are low priorities for this Government - that money that has been cut will be directed into higher areas of priority. We have also looked at whether we can afford the new hospital developments at Geraldton and Moora. We have decided that we cannot. We will proceed with the more important hospital, which is the Geraldton hospital. We have also gone through the expenditure of the head office of the Department of Health and the teaching hospitals. We have made very significant reductions in proposed expenditures in each of those areas, as would be expected of a responsible Government. We must rein in what has been an expenditure of more than $100 million every year in living memory, with one exception. We will not stand by and allow that to continue. We stand by the decisions we have made to rein in these matters. Frankly, the PMH issue was a complete mess. It has now been properly investigated. I am grateful that it has now concluded and we can move on and properly deliver health care services in Western Australia.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I indicate that what occurred at the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children with regard to the trust accounts was a very unfortunate part of the recent history of the Department of Health. A lot of people were exposed who should not have been. The circumstances of the political intervention to override the health minister of the day, and the removal of Michael Moodie, reflected adversely on Governments in Western Australia in the late 1990s. Let us not forget who was at the helm when those events occurred during the late 1990s. Having said that, I am pleased that this report has been tabled in the Parliament today because it shows that significant allegations of wrongdoing in the late 1990s have been properly investigated by not only the Public Accounts Committee of this Parliament but also the Health Insurance Commission and the Auditor General. One matter has been referred to the federal police. Everyone in this State who has an interest in the public health system can now appreciate that this is the time to draw a line underneath this very unfortunate episode in our history and start again and get on with what hospitals are there for. I look forward to working cooperatively with the doctors to make sure that the health system can deliver excellent health care. It was important that this inquiry took place and was concluded. I compliment the member for Ballajura and his committee for the work they have done. Mr J.H.D. Day: If that wrongdoing took place, why have you jumped in and indemnified - Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am about to answer the question posed by the Leader of the Opposition. In satisfaction of the claim that has been made by the Health Insurance Commission, I can confirm that in the not too distant future we expect to be able to settle all outstanding claims for an amount approximate to the amount the Leader of the Opposition mentioned, which is marginally in excess of $600 000. Although it would be better if that money were spent on direct patient care, if that payment enables us to work with the doctors on how these matters should be dealt with properly - that is, aboveboard and with the full knowledge and approval of the federal Government and the Health Insurance Commission - to my mind a payment marginally in excess of $600 000 will be a small price to pay. The other matter the Leader of the Opposition raised was whether this money would be better spent on the areas that have been cut as a result of the budgetary needs of this Government. I make the point that although we have scrutinised each of the 470 non-government organisations that are funded by the Department of Health - some of which, although they are worthy, are low priorities for this Government - that money that has been cut will be directed into higher areas of priority. We have also looked at whether we can afford the new hospital developments at Geraldton and Moora. We have decided that we cannot. We will proceed with the more important hospital, which is the Geraldton hospital. We have also gone through the expenditure of the head office of the Department of Health and the teaching hospitals. We have made very significant reductions in proposed expenditures in each of those areas, as would be expected of a responsible Government. We must rein in what has been an expenditure of more than $100 million every year in living memory, with one exception. We will not stand by and allow that to continue. We stand by the decisions we have made to rein in these matters. Frankly, the PMH issue was a complete mess. It has now been properly investigated. I am grateful that it has now concluded and we can move on and properly deliver health care services in Western Australia.
(1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I indicate that what occurred at the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children with regard to the trust accounts was a very unfortunate part of the recent history of the Department of Health. A lot of people were exposed who should not have been. The circumstances of the political intervention to override the health minister of the day, and the removal of Michael Moodie, reflected adversely on Governments in Western Australia in the late 1990s. Let us not forget who was at the helm when those events occurred during the late 1990s. Having said that, I am pleased that this report has been tabled in the Parliament today because it shows that significant allegations of wrongdoing in the late 1990s have been properly investigated by not only the Public Accounts Committee of this Parliament but also the Health Insurance Commission and the Auditor General. One matter has been referred to the federal police. Everyone in this State who has an interest in the public health system can now appreciate that this is the time to draw a line underneath this very unfortunate episode in our history and start again and get on with what hospitals are there for. I look forward to working cooperatively with the doctors to make sure that the health system can deliver excellent health care. It was important that this inquiry took place and was concluded. I compliment the member for Ballajura and his committee for the work they have done. Mr J.H.D. Day: If that wrongdoing took place, why have you jumped in and indemnified - Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am about to answer the question posed by the Leader of the Opposition. In satisfaction of the claim that has been made by the Health Insurance Commission, I can confirm that in the not too distant future we expect to be able to settle all outstanding claims for an amount approximate to the amount the Leader of the Opposition mentioned, which is marginally in excess of $600 000. Although it would be better if that money were spent on direct patient care, if that payment enables us to work with the doctors on how these matters should be dealt with properly - that is, aboveboard and with the full knowledge and approval of the federal Government and the Health Insurance Commission - to my mind a payment marginally in excess of $600 000 will be a small price to pay. The other matter the Leader of the Opposition raised was whether this money would be better spent on the areas that have been cut as a result of the budgetary needs of this Government. I make the point that although we have scrutinised each of the 470 non-government organisations that are funded by the Department of Health - some of which, although they are worthy, are low priorities for this Government - that money that has been cut will be directed into higher areas of priority. We have also looked at whether we can afford the new hospital developments at Geraldton and Moora. We have decided that we cannot. We will proceed with the more important hospital, which is the Geraldton hospital. We have also gone through the expenditure of the head office of the Department of Health and the teaching hospitals. We have made very significant reductions in proposed expenditures in each of those areas, as would be expected of a responsible Government. We must rein in what has been an expenditure of more than $100 million every year in living memory, with one exception. We will not stand by and allow that to continue. We stand by the decisions we have made to rein in these matters. Frankly, the PMH issue was a complete mess. It has now been properly investigated. I am grateful that it has now concluded and we can move on and properly deliver health care services in Western Australia.
Everyone in this State who has an interest in the public health system can now appreciate that this is the time to draw a line underneath this very unfortunate episode in our history and start again and get on with what hospitals are there for. I look forward to working cooperatively with the doctors to make sure that the health system can deliver excellent health care. It was important that this inquiry took place and was concluded. I compliment the member for Ballajura and his committee for the work they have done.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am about to answer the question posed by the Leader of the Opposition. In satisfaction of the claim that has been made by the Health Insurance Commission, I can confirm that in the not too distant future we expect to be able to settle all outstanding claims for an amount approximate to the amount the Leader of the Opposition mentioned, which is marginally in excess of $600 000. Although it would be better if that money were spent on direct patient care, if that payment enables us to work with the doctors on how these matters should be dealt with properly - that is, aboveboard and with the full knowledge and approval of the federal Government and the Health Insurance Commission - to my mind a payment marginally in excess of $600 000 will be a small price to pay. The other matter the Leader of the Opposition raised was whether this money would be better spent on the areas that have been cut as a result of the budgetary needs of this Government. I make the point that although we have scrutinised each of the 470 non-government organisations that are funded by the Department of Health - some of which, although they are worthy, are low priorities for this Government - that money that has been cut will be directed into higher areas of priority. We have also looked at whether we can afford the new hospital developments at Geraldton and Moora. We have decided that we cannot. We will proceed with the more important hospital, which is the Geraldton hospital. We have also gone through the expenditure of the head office of the Department of Health and the teaching hospitals. We have made very significant reductions in proposed expenditures in each of those areas, as would be expected of a responsible Government. We must rein in what has been an expenditure of more than $100 million every year in living memory, with one exception. We will not stand by and allow that to continue. We stand by the decisions we have made to rein in these matters. Frankly, the PMH issue was a complete mess. It has now been properly investigated. I am grateful that it has now concluded and we can move on and properly deliver health care services in Western Australia.
The other matter the Leader of the Opposition raised was whether this money would be better spent on the areas that have been cut as a result of the budgetary needs of this Government. I make the point that although we have scrutinised each of the 470 non-government organisations that are funded by the Department of Health - some of which, although they are worthy, are low priorities for this Government - that money that has been cut will be directed into higher areas of priority. We have also looked at whether we can afford the new hospital developments at Geraldton and Moora. We have decided that we cannot. We will proceed with the more important hospital, which is the Geraldton hospital. We have also gone through the expenditure of the head office of the Department of Health and the teaching hospitals. We have made very significant reductions in proposed expenditures in each of those areas, as would be expected of a responsible Government. We must rein in what has been an expenditure of more than $100 million every year in living memory, with one exception. We will not stand by and allow that to continue. We stand by the decisions we have made to rein in these matters. Frankly, the PMH issue was a complete mess. It has now been properly investigated. I am grateful that it has now concluded and we can move on and properly deliver health care services in Western Australia.
(1) Will the minister confirm that this premature admission of liability will cost taxpayers at least $600 000? (2) Why was no effort made to ensure that the doctors who were personally benefiting from bulk-billing Medicare were not indemnified at taxpayers’ expense? (3) How does the minister reconcile this potentially wasted money with his arbitrary decision to slash $12 million from deserving community-based health programs, such as mental health programs for children? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I indicate that what occurred at the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children with regard to the trust accounts was a very unfortunate part of the recent history of the Department of Health. A lot of people were exposed who should not have been. The circumstances of the political intervention to override the health minister of the day, and the removal of Michael Moodie, reflected adversely on Governments in Western Australia in the late 1990s. Let us not forget who was at the helm when those events occurred during the late 1990s. Having said that, I am pleased that this report has been tabled in the Parliament today because it shows that significant allegations of wrongdoing in the late 1990s have been properly investigated by not only the Public Accounts Committee of this Parliament but also the Health Insurance Commission and the Auditor General. One matter has been referred to the federal police. Everyone in this State who has an interest in the public health system can now appreciate that this is the time to draw a line underneath this very unfortunate episode in our history and start again and get on with what hospitals are there for. I look forward to working cooperatively with the doctors to make sure that the health system can deliver excellent health care. It was important that this inquiry took place and was concluded. I compliment the member for Ballajura and his committee for the work they have done. Mr J.H.D. Day: If that wrongdoing took place, why have you jumped in and indemnified - Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am about to answer the question posed by the Leader of the Opposition. In satisfaction of the claim that has been made by the Health Insurance Commission, I can confirm that in the not too distant future we expect to be able to settle all outstanding claims for an amount approximate to the amount the Leader of the Opposition mentioned, which is marginally in excess of $600 000. Although it would be better if that money were spent on direct patient care, if that payment enables us to work with the doctors on how these matters should be dealt with properly - that is, aboveboard and with the full knowledge and approval of the federal Government and the Health Insurance Commission - to my mind a payment marginally in excess of $600 000 will be a small price to pay. The other matter the Leader of the Opposition raised was whether this money would be better spent on the areas that have been cut as a result of the budgetary needs of this Government. I make the point that although we have scrutinised each of the 470 non-government organisations that are funded by the Department of Health - some of which, although they are worthy, are low priorities for this Government - that money that has been cut will be directed into higher areas of priority. We have also looked at whether we can afford the new hospital developments at Geraldton and Moora. We have decided that we cannot. We will proceed with the more important hospital, which is the Geraldton hospital. We have also gone through the expenditure of the head office of the Department of Health and the teaching hospitals. We have made very significant reductions in proposed expenditures in each of those areas, as would be expected of a responsible Government. We must rein in what has been an expenditure of more than $100 million every year in living memory, with one exception. We will not stand by and allow that to continue. We stand by the decisions we have made to rein in these matters. Frankly, the PMH issue was a complete mess. It has now been properly investigated. I am grateful that it has now concluded and we can move on and properly deliver health care services in Western Australia.
(2) Why was no effort made to ensure that the doctors who were personally benefiting from bulk-billing Medicare were not indemnified at taxpayers’ expense? (3) How does the minister reconcile this potentially wasted money with his arbitrary decision to slash $12 million from deserving community-based health programs, such as mental health programs for children? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I indicate that what occurred at the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children with regard to the trust accounts was a very unfortunate part of the recent history of the Department of Health. A lot of people were exposed who should not have been. The circumstances of the political intervention to override the health minister of the day, and the removal of Michael Moodie, reflected adversely on Governments in Western Australia in the late 1990s. Let us not forget who was at the helm when those events occurred during the late 1990s. Having said that, I am pleased that this report has been tabled in the Parliament today because it shows that significant allegations of wrongdoing in the late 1990s have been properly investigated by not only the Public Accounts Committee of this Parliament but also the Health Insurance Commission and the Auditor General. One matter has been referred to the federal police. Everyone in this State who has an interest in the public health system can now appreciate that this is the time to draw a line underneath this very unfortunate episode in our history and start again and get on with what hospitals are there for. I look forward to working cooperatively with the doctors to make sure that the health system can deliver excellent health care. It was important that this inquiry took place and was concluded. I compliment the member for Ballajura and his committee for the work they have done. Mr J.H.D. Day: If that wrongdoing took place, why have you jumped in and indemnified - Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am about to answer the question posed by the Leader of the Opposition. In satisfaction of the claim that has been made by the Health Insurance Commission, I can confirm that in the not too distant future we expect to be able to settle all outstanding claims for an amount approximate to the amount the Leader of the Opposition mentioned, which is marginally in excess of $600 000. Although it would be better if that money were spent on direct patient care, if that payment enables us to work with the doctors on how these matters should be dealt with properly - that is, aboveboard and with the full knowledge and approval of the federal Government and the Health Insurance Commission - to my mind a payment marginally in excess of $600 000 will be a small price to pay. The other matter the Leader of the Opposition raised was whether this money would be better spent on the areas that have been cut as a result of the budgetary needs of this Government. I make the point that although we have scrutinised each of the 470 non-government organisations that are funded by the Department of Health - some of which, although they are worthy, are low priorities for this Government - that money that has been cut will be directed into higher areas of priority. We have also looked at whether we can afford the new hospital developments at Geraldton and Moora. We have decided that we cannot. We will proceed with the more important hospital, which is the Geraldton hospital. We have also gone through the expenditure of the head office of the Department of Health and the teaching hospitals. We have made very significant reductions in proposed expenditures in each of those areas, as would be expected of a responsible Government. We must rein in what has been an expenditure of more than $100 million every year in living memory, with one exception. We will not stand by and allow that to continue. We stand by the decisions we have made to rein in these matters. Frankly, the PMH issue was a complete mess. It has now been properly investigated. I am grateful that it has now concluded and we can move on and properly deliver health care services in Western Australia.
(3) How does the minister reconcile this potentially wasted money with his arbitrary decision to slash $12 million from deserving community-based health programs, such as mental health programs for children? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I indicate that what occurred at the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children with regard to the trust accounts was a very unfortunate part of the recent history of the Department of Health. A lot of people were exposed who should not have been. The circumstances of the political intervention to override the health minister of the day, and the removal of Michael Moodie, reflected adversely on Governments in Western Australia in the late 1990s. Let us not forget who was at the helm when those events occurred during the late 1990s. Having said that, I am pleased that this report has been tabled in the Parliament today because it shows that significant allegations of wrongdoing in the late 1990s have been properly investigated by not only the Public Accounts Committee of this Parliament but also the Health Insurance Commission and the Auditor General. One matter has been referred to the federal police. Everyone in this State who has an interest in the public health system can now appreciate that this is the time to draw a line underneath this very unfortunate episode in our history and start again and get on with what hospitals are there for. I look forward to working cooperatively with the doctors to make sure that the health system can deliver excellent health care. It was important that this inquiry took place and was concluded. I compliment the member for Ballajura and his committee for the work they have done. Mr J.H.D. Day: If that wrongdoing took place, why have you jumped in and indemnified - Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am about to answer the question posed by the Leader of the Opposition. In satisfaction of the claim that has been made by the Health Insurance Commission, I can confirm that in the not too distant future we expect to be able to settle all outstanding claims for an amount approximate to the amount the Leader of the Opposition mentioned, which is marginally in excess of $600 000. Although it would be better if that money were spent on direct patient care, if that payment enables us to work with the doctors on how these matters should be dealt with properly - that is, aboveboard and with the full knowledge and approval of the federal Government and the Health Insurance Commission - to my mind a payment marginally in excess of $600 000 will be a small price to pay. The other matter the Leader of the Opposition raised was whether this money would be better spent on the areas that have been cut as a result of the budgetary needs of this Government. I make the point that although we have scrutinised each of the 470 non-government organisations that are funded by the Department of Health - some of which, although they are worthy, are low priorities for this Government - that money that has been cut will be directed into higher areas of priority. We have also looked at whether we can afford the new hospital developments at Geraldton and Moora. We have decided that we cannot. We will proceed with the more important hospital, which is the Geraldton hospital. We have also gone through the expenditure of the head office of the Department of Health and the teaching hospitals. We have made very significant reductions in proposed expenditures in each of those areas, as would be expected of a responsible Government. We must rein in what has been an expenditure of more than $100 million every year in living memory, with one exception. We will not stand by and allow that to continue. We stand by the decisions we have made to rein in these matters. Frankly, the PMH issue was a complete mess. It has now been properly investigated. I am grateful that it has now concluded and we can move on and properly deliver health care services in Western Australia.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I indicate that what occurred at the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children with regard to the trust accounts was a very unfortunate part of the recent history of the Department of Health. A lot of people were exposed who should not have been. The circumstances of the political intervention to override the health minister of the day, and the removal of Michael Moodie, reflected adversely on Governments in Western Australia in the late 1990s. Let us not forget who was at the helm when those events occurred during the late 1990s. Having said that, I am pleased that this report has been tabled in the Parliament today because it shows that significant allegations of wrongdoing in the late 1990s have been properly investigated by not only the Public Accounts Committee of this Parliament but also the Health Insurance Commission and the Auditor General. One matter has been referred to the federal police. Everyone in this State who has an interest in the public health system can now appreciate that this is the time to draw a line underneath this very unfortunate episode in our history and start again and get on with what hospitals are there for. I look forward to working cooperatively with the doctors to make sure that the health system can deliver excellent health care. It was important that this inquiry took place and was concluded. I compliment the member for Ballajura and his committee for the work they have done. Mr J.H.D. Day: If that wrongdoing took place, why have you jumped in and indemnified - Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am about to answer the question posed by the Leader of the Opposition. In satisfaction of the claim that has been made by the Health Insurance Commission, I can confirm that in the not too distant future we expect to be able to settle all outstanding claims for an amount approximate to the amount the Leader of the Opposition mentioned, which is marginally in excess of $600 000. Although it would be better if that money were spent on direct patient care, if that payment enables us to work with the doctors on how these matters should be dealt with properly - that is, aboveboard and with the full knowledge and approval of the federal Government and the Health Insurance Commission - to my mind a payment marginally in excess of $600 000 will be a small price to pay. The other matter the Leader of the Opposition raised was whether this money would be better spent on the areas that have been cut as a result of the budgetary needs of this Government. I make the point that although we have scrutinised each of the 470 non-government organisations that are funded by the Department of Health - some of which, although they are worthy, are low priorities for this Government - that money that has been cut will be directed into higher areas of priority. We have also looked at whether we can afford the new hospital developments at Geraldton and Moora. We have decided that we cannot. We will proceed with the more important hospital, which is the Geraldton hospital. We have also gone through the expenditure of the head office of the Department of Health and the teaching hospitals. We have made very significant reductions in proposed expenditures in each of those areas, as would be expected of a responsible Government. We must rein in what has been an expenditure of more than $100 million every year in living memory, with one exception. We will not stand by and allow that to continue. We stand by the decisions we have made to rein in these matters. Frankly, the PMH issue was a complete mess. It has now been properly investigated. I am grateful that it has now concluded and we can move on and properly deliver health care services in Western Australia.
(1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I indicate that what occurred at the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children with regard to the trust accounts was a very unfortunate part of the recent history of the Department of Health. A lot of people were exposed who should not have been. The circumstances of the political intervention to override the health minister of the day, and the removal of Michael Moodie, reflected adversely on Governments in Western Australia in the late 1990s. Let us not forget who was at the helm when those events occurred during the late 1990s. Having said that, I am pleased that this report has been tabled in the Parliament today because it shows that significant allegations of wrongdoing in the late 1990s have been properly investigated by not only the Public Accounts Committee of this Parliament but also the Health Insurance Commission and the Auditor General. One matter has been referred to the federal police. Everyone in this State who has an interest in the public health system can now appreciate that this is the time to draw a line underneath this very unfortunate episode in our history and start again and get on with what hospitals are there for. I look forward to working cooperatively with the doctors to make sure that the health system can deliver excellent health care. It was important that this inquiry took place and was concluded. I compliment the member for Ballajura and his committee for the work they have done. Mr J.H.D. Day: If that wrongdoing took place, why have you jumped in and indemnified - Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am about to answer the question posed by the Leader of the Opposition. In satisfaction of the claim that has been made by the Health Insurance Commission, I can confirm that in the not too distant future we expect to be able to settle all outstanding claims for an amount approximate to the amount the Leader of the Opposition mentioned, which is marginally in excess of $600 000. Although it would be better if that money were spent on direct patient care, if that payment enables us to work with the doctors on how these matters should be dealt with properly - that is, aboveboard and with the full knowledge and approval of the federal Government and the Health Insurance Commission - to my mind a payment marginally in excess of $600 000 will be a small price to pay. The other matter the Leader of the Opposition raised was whether this money would be better spent on the areas that have been cut as a result of the budgetary needs of this Government. I make the point that although we have scrutinised each of the 470 non-government organisations that are funded by the Department of Health - some of which, although they are worthy, are low priorities for this Government - that money that has been cut will be directed into higher areas of priority. We have also looked at whether we can afford the new hospital developments at Geraldton and Moora. We have decided that we cannot. We will proceed with the more important hospital, which is the Geraldton hospital. We have also gone through the expenditure of the head office of the Department of Health and the teaching hospitals. We have made very significant reductions in proposed expenditures in each of those areas, as would be expected of a responsible Government. We must rein in what has been an expenditure of more than $100 million every year in living memory, with one exception. We will not stand by and allow that to continue. We stand by the decisions we have made to rein in these matters. Frankly, the PMH issue was a complete mess. It has now been properly investigated. I am grateful that it has now concluded and we can move on and properly deliver health care services in Western Australia.
Everyone in this State who has an interest in the public health system can now appreciate that this is the time to draw a line underneath this very unfortunate episode in our history and start again and get on with what hospitals are there for. I look forward to working cooperatively with the doctors to make sure that the health system can deliver excellent health care. It was important that this inquiry took place and was concluded. I compliment the member for Ballajura and his committee for the work they have done.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am about to answer the question posed by the Leader of the Opposition. In satisfaction of the claim that has been made by the Health Insurance Commission, I can confirm that in the not too distant future we expect to be able to settle all outstanding claims for an amount approximate to the amount the Leader of the Opposition mentioned, which is marginally in excess of $600 000. Although it would be better if that money were spent on direct patient care, if that payment enables us to work with the doctors on how these matters should be dealt with properly - that is, aboveboard and with the full knowledge and approval of the federal Government and the Health Insurance Commission - to my mind a payment marginally in excess of $600 000 will be a small price to pay. The other matter the Leader of the Opposition raised was whether this money would be better spent on the areas that have been cut as a result of the budgetary needs of this Government. I make the point that although we have scrutinised each of the 470 non-government organisations that are funded by the Department of Health - some of which, although they are worthy, are low priorities for this Government - that money that has been cut will be directed into higher areas of priority. We have also looked at whether we can afford the new hospital developments at Geraldton and Moora. We have decided that we cannot. We will proceed with the more important hospital, which is the Geraldton hospital. We have also gone through the expenditure of the head office of the Department of Health and the teaching hospitals. We have made very significant reductions in proposed expenditures in each of those areas, as would be expected of a responsible Government. We must rein in what has been an expenditure of more than $100 million every year in living memory, with one exception. We will not stand by and allow that to continue. We stand by the decisions we have made to rein in these matters. Frankly, the PMH issue was a complete mess. It has now been properly investigated. I am grateful that it has now concluded and we can move on and properly deliver health care services in Western Australia.
The other matter the Leader of the Opposition raised was whether this money would be better spent on the areas that have been cut as a result of the budgetary needs of this Government. I make the point that although we have scrutinised each of the 470 non-government organisations that are funded by the Department of Health - some of which, although they are worthy, are low priorities for this Government - that money that has been cut will be directed into higher areas of priority. We have also looked at whether we can afford the new hospital developments at Geraldton and Moora. We have decided that we cannot. We will proceed with the more important hospital, which is the Geraldton hospital. We have also gone through the expenditure of the head office of the Department of Health and the teaching hospitals. We have made very significant reductions in proposed expenditures in each of those areas, as would be expected of a responsible Government. We must rein in what has been an expenditure of more than $100 million every year in living memory, with one exception. We will not stand by and allow that to continue. We stand by the decisions we have made to rein in these matters. Frankly, the PMH issue was a complete mess. It has now been properly investigated. I am grateful that it has now concluded and we can move on and properly deliver health care services in Western Australia.
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