Ms Mettam questions the Minister for Health regarding awareness and support for a potential government takeover of St John Ambulance, referencing a committee investigation and the United Workers Union's views. The Minister dismisses the questions as conspiracy theories.

AnsweredQoN 304Legislative Assembly
Asked
24 June 2021
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

ST JOHN AMBULANCE — SERVICE DELIVERY
304. Ms L. METTAM to the Minister for Health:
I refer to the decision by the
Standing Committee on Public Administration, led by Hon Pierre Yang, MLC, to
investigate the merits of a Labor government takeover of the St John Ambulance
service —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please,
members!
Ms
L. METTAM : I refer to the
decision by the Standing Committee on Public Administration, led by Hon Pierre Yang, MLC, to investigate the merits of
a Labor government takeover of the St John Ambulance service, as supported by —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Sorry; members,
I do not think it is helpful for people to interrupt the member asking a question.
The minister is more than capable of making an appropriate response.
Ms
L. METTAM : I refer to the decision by the Standing Committee on
Public Administration, led by Hon Pierre
Yang, MLC, to investigate the merits of a Labor government takeover of
the St John Ambulance service, as supported by the United Workers Union.
(1) When was the minister first made
aware that members of this committee were considering this?
(2) Does the minister support the views of the United
Workers Union, which has suggested that government- operated ambulance
operations are more nimble than a not-for-profit organisation?

AnswerView source ↗

(1)–(2) The
grassy knoll is over there! I think Clive Palmer is setting up his tripod as we
speak! The member's conspiracy theories around this absolutely astound
me. If she has questions about the conduct of an upper house committee, I suggest
she ask questions of it. I cannot help the member with those particular issues.
I made my attitude toward St John
Ambulance very clear yesterday. I have no intention of undertaking wholesale
policy responses in relation to St John Ambulance. As I said yesterday, it does
an outstanding job. It has the fastest response time in Australia. As for the
attitude of the United Workers Union, I suggest the member asks it, although I suspect
I know what its response to her will be! The last time an inquiry into St John Ambulance
was undertaken was under a Liberal government in October 2009.

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