❓ Ms McHale questions the delay in announcing the extension of the King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women inquiry deadline. Minister Day explains the delay is due to unresolved issues regarding witness confidentiality.
AnsweredQoN 203Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
KING EDWARD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN - REPORT DEADLINE
I refer to the minister’s announcement yesterday that Cabinet had agreed to extend by nine months the reporting deadline for the King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women inquiry. (1) On what date did Cabinet agree to extend the deadline? (2) Why was the decision not announced immediately, given its immense importance to the women of this State? (3) When did the minister intend to make an announcement? (4) What is the expected blow-out in the cost of this inquiry? Mr DAY
I refer to the minister’s announcement yesterday that Cabinet had agreed to extend by nine months the reporting deadline for the King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women inquiry. (1) On what date did Cabinet agree to extend the deadline? (2) Why was the decision not announced immediately, given its immense importance to the women of this State? (3) When did the minister intend to make an announcement? (4) What is the expected blow-out in the cost of this inquiry? Mr DAY
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(4) Since this matter was first raised in Cabinet, it has been considered by Cabinet on a number of occasions. However, the decision was made last Monday week. Dr Gallop: Monday week - what a disgrace! Mr McGinty: You sat on it all that time. Mr DAY: The reason I had not previously announced the extension of time is that an additional matter must be resolved. That matter is not resolved at the moment. As soon as it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full public statement. Dr Gallop: What is that matter? Mr DAY: The other matter relates to the confidentiality of witnesses and the protection of the identity of witnesses. That is an important matter. I know that there are people who intend to make information available to the inquiry. However, in some cases they want an absolute assurance that their confidentiality will be protected. That matter is the subject of current discussions, and at this stage it is not yet resolved. Once it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full statement about the changes which may occur as far as the inquiry is concerned. Ms McHale: When will you make that announcement? Mr DAY: As soon as the matter is resolved. Dr Gallop: What is the matter? Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
(1) On what date did Cabinet agree to extend the deadline? (2) Why was the decision not announced immediately, given its immense importance to the women of this State? (3) When did the minister intend to make an announcement? (4) What is the expected blow-out in the cost of this inquiry? Mr DAY replied: (1)-(4) Since this matter was first raised in Cabinet, it has been considered by Cabinet on a number of occasions. However, the decision was made last Monday week. Dr Gallop: Monday week - what a disgrace! Mr McGinty: You sat on it all that time. Mr DAY: The reason I had not previously announced the extension of time is that an additional matter must be resolved. That matter is not resolved at the moment. As soon as it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full public statement. Dr Gallop: What is that matter? Mr DAY: The other matter relates to the confidentiality of witnesses and the protection of the identity of witnesses. That is an important matter. I know that there are people who intend to make information available to the inquiry. However, in some cases they want an absolute assurance that their confidentiality will be protected. That matter is the subject of current discussions, and at this stage it is not yet resolved. Once it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full statement about the changes which may occur as far as the inquiry is concerned. Ms McHale: When will you make that announcement? Mr DAY: As soon as the matter is resolved. Dr Gallop: What is the matter? Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
(2) Why was the decision not announced immediately, given its immense importance to the women of this State? (3) When did the minister intend to make an announcement? (4) What is the expected blow-out in the cost of this inquiry? Mr DAY replied: (1)-(4) Since this matter was first raised in Cabinet, it has been considered by Cabinet on a number of occasions. However, the decision was made last Monday week. Dr Gallop: Monday week - what a disgrace! Mr McGinty: You sat on it all that time. Mr DAY: The reason I had not previously announced the extension of time is that an additional matter must be resolved. That matter is not resolved at the moment. As soon as it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full public statement. Dr Gallop: What is that matter? Mr DAY: The other matter relates to the confidentiality of witnesses and the protection of the identity of witnesses. That is an important matter. I know that there are people who intend to make information available to the inquiry. However, in some cases they want an absolute assurance that their confidentiality will be protected. That matter is the subject of current discussions, and at this stage it is not yet resolved. Once it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full statement about the changes which may occur as far as the inquiry is concerned. Ms McHale: When will you make that announcement? Mr DAY: As soon as the matter is resolved. Dr Gallop: What is the matter? Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
(3) When did the minister intend to make an announcement? (4) What is the expected blow-out in the cost of this inquiry? Mr DAY replied: (1)-(4) Since this matter was first raised in Cabinet, it has been considered by Cabinet on a number of occasions. However, the decision was made last Monday week. Dr Gallop: Monday week - what a disgrace! Mr McGinty: You sat on it all that time. Mr DAY: The reason I had not previously announced the extension of time is that an additional matter must be resolved. That matter is not resolved at the moment. As soon as it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full public statement. Dr Gallop: What is that matter? Mr DAY: The other matter relates to the confidentiality of witnesses and the protection of the identity of witnesses. That is an important matter. I know that there are people who intend to make information available to the inquiry. However, in some cases they want an absolute assurance that their confidentiality will be protected. That matter is the subject of current discussions, and at this stage it is not yet resolved. Once it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full statement about the changes which may occur as far as the inquiry is concerned. Ms McHale: When will you make that announcement? Mr DAY: As soon as the matter is resolved. Dr Gallop: What is the matter? Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
(4) What is the expected blow-out in the cost of this inquiry? Mr DAY replied: (1)-(4) Since this matter was first raised in Cabinet, it has been considered by Cabinet on a number of occasions. However, the decision was made last Monday week. Dr Gallop: Monday week - what a disgrace! Mr McGinty: You sat on it all that time. Mr DAY: The reason I had not previously announced the extension of time is that an additional matter must be resolved. That matter is not resolved at the moment. As soon as it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full public statement. Dr Gallop: What is that matter? Mr DAY: The other matter relates to the confidentiality of witnesses and the protection of the identity of witnesses. That is an important matter. I know that there are people who intend to make information available to the inquiry. However, in some cases they want an absolute assurance that their confidentiality will be protected. That matter is the subject of current discussions, and at this stage it is not yet resolved. Once it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full statement about the changes which may occur as far as the inquiry is concerned. Ms McHale: When will you make that announcement? Mr DAY: As soon as the matter is resolved. Dr Gallop: What is the matter? Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Mr DAY replied: (1)-(4) Since this matter was first raised in Cabinet, it has been considered by Cabinet on a number of occasions. However, the decision was made last Monday week. Dr Gallop: Monday week - what a disgrace! Mr McGinty: You sat on it all that time. Mr DAY: The reason I had not previously announced the extension of time is that an additional matter must be resolved. That matter is not resolved at the moment. As soon as it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full public statement. Dr Gallop: What is that matter? Mr DAY: The other matter relates to the confidentiality of witnesses and the protection of the identity of witnesses. That is an important matter. I know that there are people who intend to make information available to the inquiry. However, in some cases they want an absolute assurance that their confidentiality will be protected. That matter is the subject of current discussions, and at this stage it is not yet resolved. Once it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full statement about the changes which may occur as far as the inquiry is concerned. Ms McHale: When will you make that announcement? Mr DAY: As soon as the matter is resolved. Dr Gallop: What is the matter? Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
(1)-(4) Since this matter was first raised in Cabinet, it has been considered by Cabinet on a number of occasions. However, the decision was made last Monday week. Dr Gallop: Monday week - what a disgrace! Mr McGinty: You sat on it all that time. Mr DAY: The reason I had not previously announced the extension of time is that an additional matter must be resolved. That matter is not resolved at the moment. As soon as it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full public statement. Dr Gallop: What is that matter? Mr DAY: The other matter relates to the confidentiality of witnesses and the protection of the identity of witnesses. That is an important matter. I know that there are people who intend to make information available to the inquiry. However, in some cases they want an absolute assurance that their confidentiality will be protected. That matter is the subject of current discussions, and at this stage it is not yet resolved. Once it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full statement about the changes which may occur as far as the inquiry is concerned. Ms McHale: When will you make that announcement? Mr DAY: As soon as the matter is resolved. Dr Gallop: What is the matter? Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Dr Gallop: Monday week - what a disgrace! Mr McGinty: You sat on it all that time. Mr DAY: The reason I had not previously announced the extension of time is that an additional matter must be resolved. That matter is not resolved at the moment. As soon as it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full public statement. Dr Gallop: What is that matter? Mr DAY: The other matter relates to the confidentiality of witnesses and the protection of the identity of witnesses. That is an important matter. I know that there are people who intend to make information available to the inquiry. However, in some cases they want an absolute assurance that their confidentiality will be protected. That matter is the subject of current discussions, and at this stage it is not yet resolved. Once it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full statement about the changes which may occur as far as the inquiry is concerned. Ms McHale: When will you make that announcement? Mr DAY: As soon as the matter is resolved. Dr Gallop: What is the matter? Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Mr McGinty: You sat on it all that time. Mr DAY: The reason I had not previously announced the extension of time is that an additional matter must be resolved. That matter is not resolved at the moment. As soon as it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full public statement. Dr Gallop: What is that matter? Mr DAY: The other matter relates to the confidentiality of witnesses and the protection of the identity of witnesses. That is an important matter. I know that there are people who intend to make information available to the inquiry. However, in some cases they want an absolute assurance that their confidentiality will be protected. That matter is the subject of current discussions, and at this stage it is not yet resolved. Once it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full statement about the changes which may occur as far as the inquiry is concerned. Ms McHale: When will you make that announcement? Mr DAY: As soon as the matter is resolved. Dr Gallop: What is the matter? Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Mr DAY: The reason I had not previously announced the extension of time is that an additional matter must be resolved. That matter is not resolved at the moment. As soon as it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full public statement. Dr Gallop: What is that matter? Mr DAY: The other matter relates to the confidentiality of witnesses and the protection of the identity of witnesses. That is an important matter. I know that there are people who intend to make information available to the inquiry. However, in some cases they want an absolute assurance that their confidentiality will be protected. That matter is the subject of current discussions, and at this stage it is not yet resolved. Once it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full statement about the changes which may occur as far as the inquiry is concerned. Ms McHale: When will you make that announcement? Mr DAY: As soon as the matter is resolved. Dr Gallop: What is the matter? Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Dr Gallop: What is that matter? Mr DAY: The other matter relates to the confidentiality of witnesses and the protection of the identity of witnesses. That is an important matter. I know that there are people who intend to make information available to the inquiry. However, in some cases they want an absolute assurance that their confidentiality will be protected. That matter is the subject of current discussions, and at this stage it is not yet resolved. Once it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full statement about the changes which may occur as far as the inquiry is concerned. Ms McHale: When will you make that announcement? Mr DAY: As soon as the matter is resolved. Dr Gallop: What is the matter? Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Mr DAY: The other matter relates to the confidentiality of witnesses and the protection of the identity of witnesses. That is an important matter. I know that there are people who intend to make information available to the inquiry. However, in some cases they want an absolute assurance that their confidentiality will be protected. That matter is the subject of current discussions, and at this stage it is not yet resolved. Once it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full statement about the changes which may occur as far as the inquiry is concerned. Ms McHale: When will you make that announcement? Mr DAY: As soon as the matter is resolved. Dr Gallop: What is the matter? Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Ms McHale: When will you make that announcement? Mr DAY: As soon as the matter is resolved. Dr Gallop: What is the matter? Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Mr DAY: As soon as the matter is resolved. Dr Gallop: What is the matter? Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Dr Gallop: What is the matter? Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
(1) On what date did Cabinet agree to extend the deadline? (2) Why was the decision not announced immediately, given its immense importance to the women of this State? (3) When did the minister intend to make an announcement? (4) What is the expected blow-out in the cost of this inquiry? Mr DAY replied: (1)-(4) Since this matter was first raised in Cabinet, it has been considered by Cabinet on a number of occasions. However, the decision was made last Monday week. Dr Gallop: Monday week - what a disgrace! Mr McGinty: You sat on it all that time. Mr DAY: The reason I had not previously announced the extension of time is that an additional matter must be resolved. That matter is not resolved at the moment. As soon as it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full public statement. Dr Gallop: What is that matter? Mr DAY: The other matter relates to the confidentiality of witnesses and the protection of the identity of witnesses. That is an important matter. I know that there are people who intend to make information available to the inquiry. However, in some cases they want an absolute assurance that their confidentiality will be protected. That matter is the subject of current discussions, and at this stage it is not yet resolved. Once it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full statement about the changes which may occur as far as the inquiry is concerned. Ms McHale: When will you make that announcement? Mr DAY: As soon as the matter is resolved. Dr Gallop: What is the matter? Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
(2) Why was the decision not announced immediately, given its immense importance to the women of this State? (3) When did the minister intend to make an announcement? (4) What is the expected blow-out in the cost of this inquiry? Mr DAY replied: (1)-(4) Since this matter was first raised in Cabinet, it has been considered by Cabinet on a number of occasions. However, the decision was made last Monday week. Dr Gallop: Monday week - what a disgrace! Mr McGinty: You sat on it all that time. Mr DAY: The reason I had not previously announced the extension of time is that an additional matter must be resolved. That matter is not resolved at the moment. As soon as it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full public statement. Dr Gallop: What is that matter? Mr DAY: The other matter relates to the confidentiality of witnesses and the protection of the identity of witnesses. That is an important matter. I know that there are people who intend to make information available to the inquiry. However, in some cases they want an absolute assurance that their confidentiality will be protected. That matter is the subject of current discussions, and at this stage it is not yet resolved. Once it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full statement about the changes which may occur as far as the inquiry is concerned. Ms McHale: When will you make that announcement? Mr DAY: As soon as the matter is resolved. Dr Gallop: What is the matter? Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
(3) When did the minister intend to make an announcement? (4) What is the expected blow-out in the cost of this inquiry? Mr DAY replied: (1)-(4) Since this matter was first raised in Cabinet, it has been considered by Cabinet on a number of occasions. However, the decision was made last Monday week. Dr Gallop: Monday week - what a disgrace! Mr McGinty: You sat on it all that time. Mr DAY: The reason I had not previously announced the extension of time is that an additional matter must be resolved. That matter is not resolved at the moment. As soon as it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full public statement. Dr Gallop: What is that matter? Mr DAY: The other matter relates to the confidentiality of witnesses and the protection of the identity of witnesses. That is an important matter. I know that there are people who intend to make information available to the inquiry. However, in some cases they want an absolute assurance that their confidentiality will be protected. That matter is the subject of current discussions, and at this stage it is not yet resolved. Once it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full statement about the changes which may occur as far as the inquiry is concerned. Ms McHale: When will you make that announcement? Mr DAY: As soon as the matter is resolved. Dr Gallop: What is the matter? Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
(4) What is the expected blow-out in the cost of this inquiry? Mr DAY replied: (1)-(4) Since this matter was first raised in Cabinet, it has been considered by Cabinet on a number of occasions. However, the decision was made last Monday week. Dr Gallop: Monday week - what a disgrace! Mr McGinty: You sat on it all that time. Mr DAY: The reason I had not previously announced the extension of time is that an additional matter must be resolved. That matter is not resolved at the moment. As soon as it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full public statement. Dr Gallop: What is that matter? Mr DAY: The other matter relates to the confidentiality of witnesses and the protection of the identity of witnesses. That is an important matter. I know that there are people who intend to make information available to the inquiry. However, in some cases they want an absolute assurance that their confidentiality will be protected. That matter is the subject of current discussions, and at this stage it is not yet resolved. Once it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full statement about the changes which may occur as far as the inquiry is concerned. Ms McHale: When will you make that announcement? Mr DAY: As soon as the matter is resolved. Dr Gallop: What is the matter? Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Mr DAY replied: (1)-(4) Since this matter was first raised in Cabinet, it has been considered by Cabinet on a number of occasions. However, the decision was made last Monday week. Dr Gallop: Monday week - what a disgrace! Mr McGinty: You sat on it all that time. Mr DAY: The reason I had not previously announced the extension of time is that an additional matter must be resolved. That matter is not resolved at the moment. As soon as it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full public statement. Dr Gallop: What is that matter? Mr DAY: The other matter relates to the confidentiality of witnesses and the protection of the identity of witnesses. That is an important matter. I know that there are people who intend to make information available to the inquiry. However, in some cases they want an absolute assurance that their confidentiality will be protected. That matter is the subject of current discussions, and at this stage it is not yet resolved. Once it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full statement about the changes which may occur as far as the inquiry is concerned. Ms McHale: When will you make that announcement? Mr DAY: As soon as the matter is resolved. Dr Gallop: What is the matter? Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
(1)-(4) Since this matter was first raised in Cabinet, it has been considered by Cabinet on a number of occasions. However, the decision was made last Monday week. Dr Gallop: Monday week - what a disgrace! Mr McGinty: You sat on it all that time. Mr DAY: The reason I had not previously announced the extension of time is that an additional matter must be resolved. That matter is not resolved at the moment. As soon as it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full public statement. Dr Gallop: What is that matter? Mr DAY: The other matter relates to the confidentiality of witnesses and the protection of the identity of witnesses. That is an important matter. I know that there are people who intend to make information available to the inquiry. However, in some cases they want an absolute assurance that their confidentiality will be protected. That matter is the subject of current discussions, and at this stage it is not yet resolved. Once it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full statement about the changes which may occur as far as the inquiry is concerned. Ms McHale: When will you make that announcement? Mr DAY: As soon as the matter is resolved. Dr Gallop: What is the matter? Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Dr Gallop: Monday week - what a disgrace! Mr McGinty: You sat on it all that time. Mr DAY: The reason I had not previously announced the extension of time is that an additional matter must be resolved. That matter is not resolved at the moment. As soon as it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full public statement. Dr Gallop: What is that matter? Mr DAY: The other matter relates to the confidentiality of witnesses and the protection of the identity of witnesses. That is an important matter. I know that there are people who intend to make information available to the inquiry. However, in some cases they want an absolute assurance that their confidentiality will be protected. That matter is the subject of current discussions, and at this stage it is not yet resolved. Once it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full statement about the changes which may occur as far as the inquiry is concerned. Ms McHale: When will you make that announcement? Mr DAY: As soon as the matter is resolved. Dr Gallop: What is the matter? Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Mr McGinty: You sat on it all that time. Mr DAY: The reason I had not previously announced the extension of time is that an additional matter must be resolved. That matter is not resolved at the moment. As soon as it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full public statement. Dr Gallop: What is that matter? Mr DAY: The other matter relates to the confidentiality of witnesses and the protection of the identity of witnesses. That is an important matter. I know that there are people who intend to make information available to the inquiry. However, in some cases they want an absolute assurance that their confidentiality will be protected. That matter is the subject of current discussions, and at this stage it is not yet resolved. Once it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full statement about the changes which may occur as far as the inquiry is concerned. Ms McHale: When will you make that announcement? Mr DAY: As soon as the matter is resolved. Dr Gallop: What is the matter? Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Mr DAY: The reason I had not previously announced the extension of time is that an additional matter must be resolved. That matter is not resolved at the moment. As soon as it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full public statement. Dr Gallop: What is that matter? Mr DAY: The other matter relates to the confidentiality of witnesses and the protection of the identity of witnesses. That is an important matter. I know that there are people who intend to make information available to the inquiry. However, in some cases they want an absolute assurance that their confidentiality will be protected. That matter is the subject of current discussions, and at this stage it is not yet resolved. Once it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full statement about the changes which may occur as far as the inquiry is concerned. Ms McHale: When will you make that announcement? Mr DAY: As soon as the matter is resolved. Dr Gallop: What is the matter? Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Dr Gallop: What is that matter? Mr DAY: The other matter relates to the confidentiality of witnesses and the protection of the identity of witnesses. That is an important matter. I know that there are people who intend to make information available to the inquiry. However, in some cases they want an absolute assurance that their confidentiality will be protected. That matter is the subject of current discussions, and at this stage it is not yet resolved. Once it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full statement about the changes which may occur as far as the inquiry is concerned. Ms McHale: When will you make that announcement? Mr DAY: As soon as the matter is resolved. Dr Gallop: What is the matter? Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Mr DAY: The other matter relates to the confidentiality of witnesses and the protection of the identity of witnesses. That is an important matter. I know that there are people who intend to make information available to the inquiry. However, in some cases they want an absolute assurance that their confidentiality will be protected. That matter is the subject of current discussions, and at this stage it is not yet resolved. Once it is resolved, it is my intention to make a full statement about the changes which may occur as far as the inquiry is concerned. Ms McHale: When will you make that announcement? Mr DAY: As soon as the matter is resolved. Dr Gallop: What is the matter? Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Ms McHale: When will you make that announcement? Mr DAY: As soon as the matter is resolved. Dr Gallop: What is the matter? Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Mr DAY: As soon as the matter is resolved. Dr Gallop: What is the matter? Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Dr Gallop: What is the matter? Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Mr DAY: I have just explained that. The Leader of the Opposition did not listen. Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Dr Gallop: I will tell you what, Minister for Health: I hope you never take up the sport of archery. You’re all over the place. Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Mr DAY: I have been very interested in the comments from the Opposition on this matter. In effect, the Opposition has been opposing this extension of time. Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Ms McHale: Absolutely not. We are opposing your using it as a political tool. Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Mr DAY: It was interesting that this morning on radio 6PR, Paul Murray asked the Leader of the Opposition - I mean, the question put to you was, would you bring that report forward if you were elected, . . . All the Leader of the Opposition did was beat about the bush and talk about everything else except the answer to the question. Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Dr Gallop: I answered the question, unlike you. Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Mr DAY: Would the Leader of the Opposition bring forward the reporting time of this inquiry if he were elected to government? Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Dr Gallop: The inquiry, my friend, is an independent inquiry, and that is the answer I gave. Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Mr DAY: Exactly. It is an independent inquiry, and it has provided advice to the Government that it needs an extension of time to the end of June 2001. In accordance with that request, Cabinet has agreed to an extension of time. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I will not have everybody in the Assembly interjecting. As I said previously, the member who asked the question may offer some suggestions to the minister who is answering the question, but that member is the only person I will allow to interject. Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Mr DAY: The Labor Party has also suggested that this extension of time is a ploy by the Government to undermine confidence in the hospital, which will lead to its eventual closure. That is absolute nonsense. The only people undermining confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Labor Party. Their blatant scaremongering is an attempt to undermine confidence in the hospital and to create the impression that the Government is conspiring to close it. Quite the contrary, everything that this Government is doing is with a view to ensuring that there will be public confidence in the hospital in the long term. The Opposition has been grossly irresponsible by engaging in that scaremongering in an attempt, for its own political purposes, to undermine confidence in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
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