❓ Opposition questions the Minister for Health regarding the independence of Healthway's future governance and funding for sporting and arts organisations, amidst a standoff with the AMA over board nominations and pending governance changes.
AnsweredQoN 138Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
HEALTHWAY — AUSTRALIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
138. Mr R.H. COOK to the Minister for
Health:
I refer to the stand-off between the
minister and the Australian Medical Association, which has refused to withdraw
its nomination to the Healthway board until the minister guarantees that
Healthway will be replaced by an entity of equal independence. Will the minister
today guarantee the independence of the future Healthway or its replacement
entity or is he prepared to starve these sporting and arts organisations of
vital funds for clubs and associations?
138. Mr R.H. COOK to the Minister for
Health:
I refer to the stand-off between the
minister and the Australian Medical Association, which has refused to withdraw
its nomination to the Healthway board until the minister guarantees that
Healthway will be replaced by an entity of equal independence. Will the minister
today guarantee the independence of the future Healthway or its replacement
entity or is he prepared to starve these sporting and arts organisations of
vital funds for clubs and associations?
AnswerView source ↗
That decision is yet to be made. I
made it clear previously that following the Carmen issue, I had decided in conjunction with the chair of Healthway that a change
in board was required, so the Department of Health has been preparing
legislation to change the governance and the board of Healthway. That is being
prepared to take to cabinet. Since that time, of course, we have had this
issue.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Dr
K.D. HAMES : All the members have now stepped down, except the member
representing the Australian Medical Association. He is on leave in South
America and is due back on 19 March. We have been having conversations with the
AMA.
Mr R.H. Cook : Have
you talked to him?
Dr
K.D. HAMES : No, I have not. I have texted him—I got through on one
occasion—but I have not been able to speak to him because he is in
South America, so it has been very, very difficult. The AMA are the people. He
is the AMA representative. I have been talking to the president of the AMA and at this stage it is not
prepared to step down. The whole issue is going through the Public Sector
Commission, and so through the Premier, and between us we will make a decision,
through cabinet, about exactly what the future will be.
made it clear previously that following the Carmen issue, I had decided in conjunction with the chair of Healthway that a change
in board was required, so the Department of Health has been preparing
legislation to change the governance and the board of Healthway. That is being
prepared to take to cabinet. Since that time, of course, we have had this
issue.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Dr
K.D. HAMES : All the members have now stepped down, except the member
representing the Australian Medical Association. He is on leave in South
America and is due back on 19 March. We have been having conversations with the
AMA.
Mr R.H. Cook : Have
you talked to him?
Dr
K.D. HAMES : No, I have not. I have texted him—I got through on one
occasion—but I have not been able to speak to him because he is in
South America, so it has been very, very difficult. The AMA are the people. He
is the AMA representative. I have been talking to the president of the AMA and at this stage it is not
prepared to step down. The whole issue is going through the Public Sector
Commission, and so through the Premier, and between us we will make a decision,
through cabinet, about exactly what the future will be.
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