❓ Opposition questions the Premier's handling of hospital staff concerns, alleging disrespect and demoralisation. Premier refutes the claim, highlighting Labor's commitment to healthcare funding and criticising the previous Liberal government's record.
AnsweredQoN 303Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Hospitals—Government performance
303. Mr Basil Zempilas to
the Premier:
I have a
supplementary question. Does the Premier acknowledge that his dismissal
yesterday of the concerns of hospital staff, nurses and doctors about the
conditions they are working in was disrespectful, damaging to morale and
demoralising to those staff?
303. Mr Basil Zempilas to
the Premier:
I have a
supplementary question. Does the Premier acknowledge that his dismissal
yesterday of the concerns of hospital staff, nurses and doctors about the
conditions they are working in was disrespectful, damaging to morale and
demoralising to those staff?
AnswerView source ↗
I completely reject the premise. What was I supposed
to have said—I dismissed?
Ms Sandra Brewer: You were waving your arms
about.
Mr Roger Cook: Oh no! I see. So I am critiquing the Leader
of the Opposition and somehow that reflects on the doctors and nurses of
Western Australia. We have seen some long bows drawn in this place, but that
would have to be the longest.
Several members
interjected.
Mr Roger Cook: We know that there is only one
political party in this state that will fund health services to the extent
necessary to ensure that we have great health care. Only the WA Labor
government will provide that funding.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members! Member for Central Wheatbelt,
welcome back!
Mr Roger Cook: Between July 2015 and July 2016, we had
a decrease of over 640 nurses, a decrease of over 130 doctors and a decrease of
17 paediatricians. That is what happens. I know we keep going back, because we
have to go back some time to remember what it was like under a Liberal
government, but that is what it was like.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Mr Roger Cook: It privatised the hospital system, it cut
staff and it undermined the healthcare system in Western Australia. Only a WA Labor
government will provide the record funding that we see today, and we will
continue to back the doctors and nurses working in our system day in and day
out.
to have said—I dismissed?
Ms Sandra Brewer: You were waving your arms
about.
Mr Roger Cook: Oh no! I see. So I am critiquing the Leader
of the Opposition and somehow that reflects on the doctors and nurses of
Western Australia. We have seen some long bows drawn in this place, but that
would have to be the longest.
Several members
interjected.
Mr Roger Cook: We know that there is only one
political party in this state that will fund health services to the extent
necessary to ensure that we have great health care. Only the WA Labor
government will provide that funding.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members! Member for Central Wheatbelt,
welcome back!
Mr Roger Cook: Between July 2015 and July 2016, we had
a decrease of over 640 nurses, a decrease of over 130 doctors and a decrease of
17 paediatricians. That is what happens. I know we keep going back, because we
have to go back some time to remember what it was like under a Liberal
government, but that is what it was like.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Mr Roger Cook: It privatised the hospital system, it cut
staff and it undermined the healthcare system in Western Australia. Only a WA Labor
government will provide the record funding that we see today, and we will
continue to back the doctors and nurses working in our system day in and day
out.
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