2008-09-17
Acute Health Care Services – Proposed Public Inquiry
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
Will the government support the opposition’s inquiry into acute health care services in the Northern Territory, which I gave notice of earlier?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am not quite sure whether this is preempting debate on the motion that the Leader of the Opposition has just given. However, what we are doing as a government is implementing the recommendations of the Coroner and his report into the tragic death of Mrs Winter ...
Mr Elferink: That will be a no, then.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: The member for Port Darwin is at it again, Madam Speaker, with inane interjections. This is a very serious issue that this parliament is considering. I would have thought that the member for Port Darwin would want to hear my reply.
As I was saying, what we are doing is implementing the recommendations of the Coroner. On hearing the notice of the motion the Leader of the Opposition gave – and I do not have a copy of it in front of me – one of the issues that he raised there was analysis of the patient and nurse ratios. That was one of the specific recommendations of the Coroner - to implement this particular methodology. The Health minister has said we will implement the methodology that has been recommended by the Coroner, and not only will we implement it, we will get the country’s leading practitioner, in regard to the implementation of this type of system, to oversight it, independently of the Health Department.
I do not know how much more confidence …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … these politicians opposite, who obviously have a great knowledge of this very technical and complex subject, over and above the country’s leading practitioner in this particular application of this methodology of staffing nurses to look after patients.
We will implement the recommendations of the Coroner. We will not conduct a witch hunt in this Assembly, defaming and making scurrilous allegations against people in the public service in regard to the opposition’s perceived role that they have in these affairs. We will go by the facts. The facts have been established by the Coroner and the government will implement the recommendations.
Business Confidence in Territory Economy
Mr GUNNER to CHIEF MINISTER
The Northern Territory has the strongest economy in the country and we have strong business confidence. How does this help Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. There is a simple answer to that, and that is jobs. The hallmark of this government in our stewardship of the economy is jobs for Territorians. The fact that, in the last year there were 5000 more Territorians in work than in the year before is absolute proof of how strong this economy has grown.
Today, I went to Berrimah to announce an exciting new retail complex for the Northern Territory - a brand new shopping centre which will feature over 120 shops. We have spent a lot of time this week talking about growing the economy. Growing the economy gives people the confidence to invest in the economy. An announcement today of a major new shopping complex, 120 new retail outlets, means more shops, more variety for Territorians, and jobs.
The project has been valued by the developers at around $200m in the construction phase. It will be based next to the current WOW site in Berrimah on the Stuart Highway. The Harbour Town developers are coming to Darwin to develop a major new shopping centre for the people of the Northern Territory. The most exciting thing about this, outside of the retail experience that many people are going to have, is that when these shops are up and running at the beginning of 2010, over 1000 new jobs will have been created in the Northern Territory - and that is a very significant result.
This government will continue to focus on growing the Territory. We will continue to focus on growing the economy. We will continue to focus on delivering jobs for Territorians.
Acute Health Care Services –
Proposed Public Inquiry
Proposed Public Inquiry
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
Why will you not support a public inquiry into acute care health services that will allow Territory nurses, doctors, allied health professionals, patients and all Territorians to have their say on our five public hospitals? What is your government trying to hide?
Madam SPEAKER: Please pause, Chief Minister. I will seek advice on this because, of course, Leader of the Opposition, you have only just given notice of something which is going to be on the Notice Paper tomorrow.
Chief Minister, I will allow you to answer it if you wish, but there is no obligation for you to do so because it is before the Chamber.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, you would have thought that the Leader of the Opposition, who has been in this House as long as I have, would understand the rules of the House and the rules of debate.
The Health Minister has commissioned an independent expert review at Royal Darwin Hospital. It will be conducted by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards. This is an independent body which has pre-eminent expertise in this area to conduct an open and transparent review. All staff …
Mr Mills: Will all Territorians be involved in this?
Mr HENDERSON: All staff at Royal Darwin Hospital will be able to have input into this review. My colleague, the Health Minister, has said that the outcomes of the review will be made public. We have commissioned the nation’s pre-eminent body - and, I believe, in discussions with the Health Minister, this particular body is internationally acclaimed; countries from around the world source the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards in these types of reviews - to do an independent review at Royal Darwin Hospital. That will be the appropriate action to be taken in this circumstance.
Also, there is a commitment by this government, by my Health Minister, to implement the recommendations that flow on through the Coroner’s case ...
Mr Elferink: What are you trying to hide?
Mr HENDERSON: I will pick up on the interjection from the member for Port Darwin. This is an open, independent, expert review that everyone at Royal Darwin Hospital - all the practitioners, whether clinical, nursing practitioners, allied practitioners, management at Royal Darwin Hospital - will be able to have their input into this review. It will be done by a pre-eminent, expert body, and the findings will be made public. That is what this government will be doing. That is what the Health Minister has committed to do - open, transparent, on the record.
World Financial Markets – Effect on Northern Territory
Mr McCARTHY to TREASURER
Can you outline to the House the level of the Territory’s exposure to the current upheaval in world financial markets?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is a very good question from the member for Barkly. The global financial market has been hit heavily by the volatility that we have seen in the US financial market. The US sub-prime credit crisis first arose in June of last year and, in just that year since, only two of the top five US investment banks that existed at the start of 2008 still remain. Financial problems experienced by American International Group, known as AIG, which, until recently was the world’s largest insurer, led to its downgrading by the major rating agencies yesterday. However, it appears that, earlier today, the US Federal Reserve has agreed to intervene to prevent the failure of AIG. In the Australian market, the fallout has seen the top 200 companies index drop by 3.1% since the close of business last Friday, although there has been a modest improvement.
While the Northern Territory Treasury does invest in international financial markets, I can report to the House there is no exposure to any of the US investment banks through the Territory’s cash balances or to the Treasury Corporation. While the share markets continue to be volatile, the Conditions of Service Reserve will be affected, as the majority of investments, like most share funds, are in growth assets such as equities. The Conditions of Service Reserve has had an average return over the last five years of 11.66% per annum. The benchmark for similar funds over this period is 8.98%.
We will continue with our medium-term investment strategy for the Conditions of Service Reserve, which will involve some short-term volatility. The Territory Insurance Office also invests funds in international markets on behalf of its members and the Northern Territory government, through the insurance and through the Motor Accident Compensation, or MAC, portfolios.
The Chief Executive of the Territory Insurance Office, Mr Richard Harding, advises me that the insurance portfolio has no direct exposure to either Lehman Brothers or AIG Credit. The MAC portfolio has exposure of approximately $320 000 to Lehman Brothers Credit, and some analysts suggest that creditors will receive around 60 in the dollar. MAC also has exposure of approximately $750 000 to AIG Credit and, at this time, consensus appears that these funds are not in jeopardy. The total exposure of MAC to both Lehman Brothers and AIG Credit of $1.07m represents just 0.28% of MAC’s total assets of $375m.
It is also important to note that, over the last eight months, the insurance and MAC portfolios have undergone a measure of restructuring, in part prompted by the volatility of equity and credit markets, providing greater weightings to cash and other defensive assets. While the challenges of the US markets will continue to create volatility in international financial markets, the Territory is well placed to absorb any impact of the latest US bank collapse.
Royal Darwin Hospital – Nurse Staffing Crisis
Mr CONLAN to MINISTER for HEALTH
In your media statement on 15 September 2008 concerning the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards accreditation at RDH, you said:
- Royal Darwin Hospital has been continuously accredited with the ACHS since 1996. Achieving accreditation means Royal Darwin has been judged against other hospitals nationally and is meeting relevant benchmarks for safe and consistent high quality care.
Is it not the fact that nurse staffing levels are not a mandatory element assessed by the council and, as such, has not been assessed in previous accreditations? How can Territorians have confidence in you, and in this process, when it does not even address key issues of nurse staffing as raised by the Coroner?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the member for Greatorex is correct in that Royal Darwin Hospital and other hospitals in the Territory have been accredited by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards. From memory, it is the first time under this government that all hospitals have been accredited. Up to that time, all hospitals were not accredited in the Northern Territory.
In terms of the specifics that he asked, the accreditation process is quite a wide-ranging process. What I have asked the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards to do this time, and I have spoken with the CEO, Mr Brian Johnston, earlier today, apart from the usual accreditation process, is to have a specific focus on clinical governance within Royal Darwin Hospital.
The Australian Council on Healthcare Standards was formed in 1974. It was formed by the Australian Medical Association and the Colleges of Nursing in Australia. Very august groups came together to form this independent body, which is fiercely independent. They would resent anyone saying that they were not independent. They have access to panels of experts all over Australia and internationally. What I have asked Mr Johnson to do is to ensure, amongst other things is to have a focus on clinical governance to ensure that the …
Mr Elferink: Could you not ask David Ashbridge to do that?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, cease interjecting!
Dr BURNS: … panel members that they have access to, that those are chosen on the basis of clinical governance, not only in terms of nursing governance and medical governance.
I have every confidence in this body, and I have every confidence in what I have seen them do elsewhere. They have had some very hard issues to deal with in some Queensland hospitals, including Townsville General Hospital, so they are no strangers to issues that need resolving. I know the member for Nelson has spoken with Mr Brian Johnston today. I know the ANF has spoken with Mr Brian Johnston, and I believe the AMA is speaking with him later on this afternoon.
This is the way forward - to have a wide field of experts, who are very skilled in these areas, rather than a bunch of politicians, as being put up by the Leader of the Opposition, circling around, no expertise in their background, looking for a political circus. Lord knows, we had enough of that last week ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Dr BURNS: This morning, I was absolutely disgusted by the member for Greatorex and the things that he had to say about the CEO for the Health Department, Dr David Ashbridge …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: Looking at the terms of reference in this particular motion that will be put up tomorrow, it talks about sitting fees and travel allowance paid to the committee members. Then it goes on to compelling evidence. What this is all about is bankrolling the member for Greatorex …
Members interjecting.
Dr BURNS: … to come up here and get the CEO for Health in front of him, and getting paid travel allowance while he is doing it ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! , Order!
Dr BURNS: That is disgusting. We do not want that. You talked about what the public wants. It does not want that sort of circus …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr Mills: That is disgraceful. I thought you were an educated man.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition, cease interjecting. Before I call the member for Nhulunbuy, I remind honourable members of Standing Order 51:
- No Member may converse aloud or make any noise or disturbance which in the opinion of the Speaker is designed to interrupt or has the effect of interrupting a Member speaking.
Honourable members, I would like you to take considerable notice of this or I will be putting people on warnings.
Northern Territory Training Awards
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for EDUCATION and TRAINING
Last Saturday evening, the Territory celebrated the achievements of our top trainees and apprentices at the NT Training Awards. Can the minister please provide the House with further details of the event which featured so many talented young Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. There were participants and trainees from Nhulunbuy who certainly had a good night at the training awards. It is a great event that honours, as everyone in this House knows, our top apprentices, trainees, VET students, businesses, VET teachers, trainers, and our registered training organisations. It was a privilege to be in the room with so many talented and hard-working Territorians, people who have put their heart and soul into either being trained or training others.
Throughout the evening we heard inspiring stories of dedication and achievement. I will name some of these remarkable Territorians today. The Awards were divided into 11 categories under three major areas - organisation, student and school.
The Employer of the Year in 2008 was Hastings Deering. The Training Provider of the Year was Connell Wagner. The Trainee of the Year was Christine Taylor from CDU. The Small Business of the Year was I AM Hair and Spa Lounge, based in Palmerston - I thought the Palmerston members would be happy about that. The VET in Schools Excellence Award was Nhulunbuy High School. The Training Initiative Award went to Group Training NT. The Trainee of the Year was Tiffany Knight, who studied for a Certificate III in Children’s Services. The Austin Asche Apprentice of the Year was Kirsty Lee Bulluss, who completed a Certificate III in Hairdressing.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year was Natasha Abbott from Central Australia, who completed a Certificate III in Business at CDU. The School-Based Apprentice of the Year went to Graeme Talbot, who completed Certificate III in Conservation Land Management at Taminmin High School. The VET in Schools Student of the Year was Alice Tulukava Taumalolo, who completed a Certificate I in Hospitality and Certificate I in Business from Nhulunbuy High School.
Nine of these 11 awards align with the Australian Training Awards. All the Territory winners of these awards will go on to represent the Northern Territory in the National Training Awards. I am very happy to announce - and I announced this on Saturday night to the room of nearly 400 people - that for the first time the National Training Awards will be held in Darwin. It will be held at our wonderful Convention Centre. We expect around 800 people to attend this gala event.
I wish all of our Territory nominees all the best for the awards. These remarkable Territorians and Territory businesses are an increasingly important part of the economic jigsaw. I congratulate all the entrants and winners on their outstanding achievements.
Public Hospitals - Call for Inquiry
Mr CONLAN to MINISTER for HEALTH
According to The State of Our Public Hospitals Report of the Northern Territory, patients have only a 69% chance of having their elective surgery completed within the recommended time. Ten per cent of all elective surgery patients have to wait more than 365 days - over one year - for their surgery. And this is the minister who thinks everything is all right. With results such as these, why will you not support a full public inquiry into the state of our Territory hospitals?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am familiar with the statistics that the member for Greatorex is alluding to, but as members …
Members interjecting.
Dr BURNS: Please show some courtesy and listen to the answer. The question has been asked, I am answering it.
The statistics that the member for Greatorex is alluding to are statistics that were gathered before the elective surgery blitz that we invested so heavily in last year, with a 30% reduction in waitlist times, particularly for those patients who had been waiting the longest.
On top of that, the new Commonwealth government put a significant amount of extra money into elective surgery right around the country, including the Northern Territory. I have every confidence that the waitlist times and the times that people are waiting, the percentage of people who are waiting, will be significantly reduced when the next statistics come around.
Relief Teachers – Government Policy
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for EDUCATION and TRAINING
The teachers are still not happy. One of the things that they and parents are upset about is the government’s policy on relief teachers. Is it true that your government has capped the amount of money that schools receive to pay their relief teachers? Is it also true that, if schools use up that amount, it either uses money from school council funds to employ a relief teacher - if they can get one - or the school has to do without a relief teacher and get a teacher to take two classes? Do you think it is fair, and are you going to change the policy?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his long question. I will attempt to answer that question. The employment of relief teachers is the responsibility of schools. The department maintains a list of available relief teachers, which is available to schools on the department website. The number available varies at different times of the school year. For example, teachers taking long-service leave leading into the four-week break means there is a higher demand at that time.
New arrangements for funding relief teachers and relief aides were made in Semester 2 in 2007. Operational funds are provided to schools from public money and are managed by the principal and the school council. Principals and school councils, like other Northern Territory government agencies, have a responsibility to manage public funds effectively and remain within budget. These arrangements provide schools with increased flexibility to focus resources on learning outcomes, school improvement, and strategic initiatives relevant to their school community.
Current funding for relief teachers and relief aides is based on 6.5 days per full-time equivalent teaching staff allocated to each of those schools. Under the new arrangements, schools will be provided with funding for both relief teachers and aides. The base funding will remain at the 6.5 days per FTE, with additional increments for remote and special schools depending on the category of that school. Absences of 15 consecutive days – so anything over and above the 15 days which has been allocated – or longer, is paid centrally. The school can actually apply to the department centrally if that leave is over those 15 consecutive days.
There is that financial safety net that is provided centrally within the department if schools feel that their budget has been used in other areas. Ongoing support and training is provided to principals and school councils to improve the financial management skills and practices within schools. We will continue to provide increased support to principals and school councils on budget preparation.
Timor Sea Cup
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for ASIAN RELATIONS
It is always great to hear of new initiatives to bring the Territory closer to our Asian neighbours. Can the minister please advise the House of arrangements for the inaugural Timor Sea Cup and the excitement unfolding at Larrakia Park today?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Today is a very exciting day, because today will be the kick-off of the inaugural Timor Sea Cup at the soccer stadium at Larrakia Park. I recall the Leader of the Opposition urging the government many times to work closely with our neighbours, and this is exactly what we have done. We found that the best way to bring people together is through sport.
The Territory has always had very good relations with Timor-Leste and West Timor, but there was trouble between the two provinces. We thought the best way to resolve some of the issues is to bring teams from those two provinces to Darwin to play against our Under 18 team. Thirty-six young men have arrived from Timor-Leste and West Timor. They will be playing every day for the next three days, with the grand final to be held on Saturday, 20 September. I am very pleased, as the ex-minister for Sport, and the current Minister for Asian Relations, to be able to organise this tournament by putting $150 000 towards their travel and the preparations.
We want to strengthen the relationship between our neighbours. We also want to have the relationship between the two neighbours strengthened, because the reality of the troubles in Timor is that most of these people will finish as refugees on our coastline. The other thing is, it not only strengthens the relationship, it also strengthens our trade links with both Timor-Leste and West Timor.
I urge you, if you have the time, go and see the young boys. I had the pleasure of meeting them this afternoon. I kicked a few balls around the oval, which looks fantastic. As I said, the grand final will be this Saturday starting 5 pm and I would to see you all there.
Royal Darwin Hospital –
Emergency Department Waiting Times
Emergency Department Waiting Times
Mr CONLAN to MINISTER for HEALTH
It is estimated that bed block and overcrowding in emergency departments contributes to increased hospital mortality rates. The Northern Territory has the second-longest waiting time in Australia for all patients presenting to the ED, with only 55% being seen within the recommended time. These statistics are in spite of the ACHS accreditation process. Is it not the fact that, unless the Territory has a full public inquiry into Territory hospitals, these problems will continue to be swept under the carpet, just like the nurse staffing crisis at Royal Darwin Hospital?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, there is no doubt that our Emergency Department at Royal Darwin Hospital is amongst the busiest in Australia, probably over two or three times …
Ms Carney interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Araluen, cease interjecting!
Dr BURNS: It is probably double what it is in the rest of Australia, and the demand is increasing, year on year, although it has …
Mr Conlan: Do you know by how many? Do you know how many you get a year?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Greatorex, you have asked the minister a question. You will cease interjecting.
Dr BURNS: Yes, I can tell you that, Madam Speaker. In 2007-08, there were over 56 300 presentations to the ED at Royal Darwin Hospital. In 2006-07, there were 56 000 presentations. The point I am making, and thank you for asking the question, member for Greatorex, is that whilst demand is increasing, it has actually plateaued to some degree.
What has this government done about bed block? We have done a number of things, principally, a Rapid Admission Planning Unit - 24 beds ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question was whether the minister supported a public inquiry. We do not particularly want a dissertation on the things that he thinks he wants us to hear.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, there is no point of order. The minister has the call.
Dr BURNS: The Rapid Admission Planning Unit, called for and designed by the clinicians at Royal Darwin Hospital, is a very good initiative. The member for Greatorex toured Royal Darwin Hospital, I believe, on Monday, and he would have been shown the Rapid Admission Planning Unit ...
Mr Conlan: Yes, and I also heard about a new thing called corridor-ology.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, there are 24 beds in this particular unit, staffed, in toto, by 70 to 80 people, not only nurses and doctors, but also allied health professionals, with ...
Mr Elferink: What about a public inquiry?
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition members, I will just remind you of Standing Order 51:
- No Member may converse aloud or make any noise or disturbance which in the opinion of the Speaker is designed to interrupt or has the effect of interrupting a Member speaking.
The member for Greatorex has asked a question and, member for Greatorex, you have continued to interject while the minister is answering the question that you have asked. I ask that you not interject again. Minister, you have the call.
Dr BURNS: Thank you, Madam Speaker. … a recurrent expenditure of $7.8m per annum. The evidence shows that there has been a significant reduction in waiting times for people to be admitted into Royal Darwin Hospital, or discharged home, through the Rapid Admission Planning Unit. This has alleviated bed block throughout Royal Darwin Hospital. We still have significant problems with bed block at the hospital, and this comes about because, at any one time, there is between 40 to 55 patients who would be better off outside the hospital in a nursing home or a home environment. This has been a long-standing problem for the hospital ...
Mr Conlan: So, perhaps a full public inquiry.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Bohlin: An inquiry would help.
Dr BURNS: If the member for Drysdale would like to listen, I am telling him what the issues around bed block are and …
Mr Elferink: What we are asking is, would you support a full public inquiry?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Port Darwin, cease interjecting!
Dr BURNS: The question was: what are we doing about bed block?
Mr CONLAN: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I can re-read the question if the minister is misguided about what it is.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, please resume your seat. The minister has the call.
Dr BURNS: What are we doing about this? It could be 30, it could be 50, it varies. We are working with the federal government. A block of land has been identified at Waratah Oval. There have been discussions and arrangements with Southern Cross, a very reputable agency, about constructing facilities there. Many of those people who are in that facility will be able to go there. In addition, the facility run by the Masons at Tiwi will open in the next four to six weeks and that should further alleviate the situation.
For the opposition to assert that government is doing nothing, that somehow the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards is responsible …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: What I am saying is, government is responsible, we are working …
Members interjecting..
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Recreational Anglers – Improving
Access and Facilities
Access and Facilities
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES and RESOURCES
Recreational anglers will be able to access even more of the Top End coastline with the recent opening of the Channel Point boat ramp located near the mouth of the Daly River. What other opportunities exist for improving access and facilities for recreational anglers to make fishing in the Territory even better?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. One of the most popular recreational activities in the Territory for locals and tourists is fishing. Some tourists coming here are prepared to give up their careers to go fishing, as we have seen in the past few months. When we came to government, we promised that we would improve access for anglers around the Territory, and we have done exactly that. We have now opened up more access for the northern coastline at Channel Point with a new upgraded boat ramp, 64 m long and 5 m wide, camping facilities for anglers and a fenced access easement to the reserve. Access is limited to 10 vessels and 50 persons, to provide a unique experience for anglers without comprising the environment. It is already popular with anglers; many people have already visited the Parks and Wildlife webpage to find information and make bookings for the Channel Point Coastal Reserve.
We are also improving access for anglers in Darwin. As we all know, we are already working on the Hudson Creek boat ramp at Darwin Harbour, not only to provide a dual lane boat ramp with a pontoon, but we have also developed five industrial blocks. I have been advised that some interest has already been shown in establishing boat and leisure retail businesses there.
We have committed $4m to upgrade the boat ramp at Palmerston, including a security compound, as at Buffalo Creek, lighting and pontoon, to make launching a boat in the harbour even easier. The design work will commence shortly and construction will start in 2009-10 and 2010-11.
In addition to that, we have committed $1m a year to improve recreational fishing infrastructure throughout the Territory. Fishing is one of the most popular recreational activities in the Territory, and we want to make it easier for anglers of all ages to access our waters, which are among the richest waters in Australia.
Public Hospitals - Call for Inquiry
Mr CHANDLER to MINISTER for HEALTH
On 24 July, Ms Christine Kirkham wrote to you concerning Mr Joe Kane’s treatment at Royal Darwin Hospital. Mr Kane was advised he needed to go into hospital overnight for eye laser treatment. After having the treatment at 2.30 pm, Mr Kane was given a sandwich and taken to the Drug and Rehabilitation Centre. Mr Kane claims he was left without medical care. At 8.30 pm, he asked office staff at the centre to take him to emergency to get some pain relief. That was provided, but Mr Kane was informed there were no beds available for him. Consequently, Mr Kane was forced to ring his family at 9.15 pm to come and get him, despite the fact he was meant to be in a bed.
Minister, do you agree with Joe Kane’s daughter-in-law that his treatment was totally unacceptable? How many more examples do we need before you support the opposition’s inquiry into the Territory’s public hospitals?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I have taken a very active interest in the letter that Ms Kirkham has written to me on behalf of Mr Kane. A reply to that letter was sent yesterday or the day before to Ms Kirkham.
Yes, Mr Kane did have eye surgery. However, as I said in my letter to Ms Kirkham, the reason he had to stay at the hospital in the self-care facility - not the Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation facility as you have asserted - was that he said there was no-one to look after him at home. Ms Kirkham is his daughter-in-law, as I understand it. She has written on behalf of Mr Kane. I am advised that after his surgery, Mr Kane was not prescribed any analgesia for his condition. He went to the self-care facility. Later, he reported pain. The protocol is that, when someone reports pain in that circumstance, and they need analgesia, those drugs are not kept at the self-care facility, because, basically, patients look after themselves in that particular facility. He was then taken to Accident and Emergency and prescribed medication. Those are the facts.
There were aspects of Mr Kane’s care, around his meals, I believe, that could have been improved, and I have written that in the reply to Ms Kirkham.
Member for Brennan, you have asked me a question. I have given you the reply. I have also written to Ms Kirkham. I am more than happy to send you a copy of the letter I have written to Ms Kirkham.
Fogg Dam – Monsoon Forest Boardwalk
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for PARKS and WILDLIFE
Can you please update the House on repairs to the Monsoon Forest boardwalk at Fogg Dam?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. I visited Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve recently and met with the traditional owners and rangers. It is a spectacular place, particularly for someone like me who comes from Central Australia. It is absolutely wonderful.
It is an internationally-renowned bird watching destination, listed in the directory of important wetlands in Australia and is a featured tourist destination close to Darwin. The rangers told me that the reserve receives approximately 70 000 visitors a year, and 15%, or approximately 10 000 of these visitors use the Monsoon Forest boardwalk.
Unfortunately, the last 900 m of the walk had been closed since 2005 to maintain public safety standards at the site. This caused much concern amongst the bird watching community and tourism operators. I am delighted to advise the House that the affected areas of the boardwalk will be reconstructed. A tender has now been awarded and, weather permitting, work will start on construction later this month.
Alice Springs Hospital –
Review of Outpatient Services
Review of Outpatient Services
Mr CONLAN to MINISTER for HEALTH
The opposition has received a leaked copy of a report on a review of outpatient services at Alice Springs Hospital. The report states that patients awaiting elective surgery who are designated as P1, that is those in need of urgent attention, do not appear on those waiting lists. Does not this practice corrupt the Territory’s elective surgery waiting list times, which are already amongst the worst in the country? Is this not just another excellent example of why we need a full public inquiry into the Territory’s health system?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Greatorex. It is good that he is asking questions about Alice Springs Hospital. This particular issue is about the outpatient waiting list, not the elective surgery waiting list as you have asserted. I have already mentioned some of the initiatives around elective surgery that have been undertaken by this government, also in collaboration with the new federal government, and they have invested $5.3m into that second tranche of changes.
Yes, a review of the Alice Springs Outpatient Department was commissioned by Alice Springs Hospital management as a quality improvement measure to examine patient flow, clinic capacity and timely discharge. Any organisation, such as a hospital engaged in this type of activity, of course you review your performance internally to see how you can do it better.
The consultant identified a number of pressures, including inadequate number of clinic rooms; long waiting times for appointments; high ‘did not attend’ rate; overbooking and long clinics; and loss of potential revenue. These are problems that have built up over a number of years. Recommendations have come out the review and these are being actioned. These are as follows: an outpatient procedure has been developed to set parameters for the outpatient waiting list attendance and notification to refer of non-attendance; patient flows have been mapped to improve flow; an appropriate mix of nursing and administrative staff; training ward clerks to make outpatient appointments at the time of patient discharge; improving the storage of information and records; review initial measurement on non-attendances at surgical clinics and receival of wrong forms; and administrative staff are being trained to organisation revenue collection.
So, at the end of …
Mr Conlan: It is a long list.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: You have asked me a question, member for Greatorex, and I am giving you some detail in my answer.
At the end of July 2008, Alice Springs Hospital clinician outpatient waiting lists were reduced from 2991 as at July 2007 to 2530. Visiting Medical Officer waiting lists have increased in the same period. A review of the VMO service demand is being undertaken by the Director of Medical and Clinical Services and the heads of the department to ensure the frequency of VMO visits is aligned with the demand.
That is what has happened. There has been an internal review. There have been recommendations. Those recommendations are being implemented. Obviously, in the information I have given here, there is more to do, and we will do more.
Mental Health Services
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for CHILDREN and FAMILIES
Providing quality services for people with mental illness is extremely important. Could the minister please outline specific services available to assist young people in the Territory with mental health issues?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. As Minister for Young Territorians, and as the minister responsible for mental health, I am very keen to see what services we have and how those services are working for our young people across the Northern Territory.
On my recent visit to Palmerston, I was able to have a look at headspace, which is a consortia of organisations bringing together a variety of youth and health-based services to assist young people with a variety of problems, including mental health, and alcohol and substance abuse issues. The service is designed to help people in a very holistic way. headspace Top End was only launched in June, so, to the staff there, good luck and it is wonderful to see the work you have embarked on.
Anglicare NT is the lead agency, with the Department of Health and Families, General Practice Network of the NT, and Danila Dilba also involved. I look forward to attending the launch of headspace Top End in Central Australia.
Alice Springs Hospital –
Review of Outpatient Services
Mr GILES to MINISTER for HEALTH
The report on the review of outpatient services at Alice Springs Hospital also found there were considerable concerns that patients with severe problems are not being seen in an appropriate time frame and that, in some instances, patients who have been waiting for a long time are upgraded to P1 in order to be seen. The report found that this practice increased the waiting time for patients who are truly P1 to the detriment of their health. Is this not just one more example of why we need a full public inquiry into the Territory’s public hospitals?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I have given a very full answer about the review that was undertaken, the recommendations, their implementations, and the challenges that remain.
Short-term Crisis Accommodation Services
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for HOUSING
Can the minister please provide an update on what the Territory government is doing to assist in the management of short-term crisis accommodation services across the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. Honourable members would be aware that the government is committed to improving crisis accommodation services across the Territory. Yesterday, I was pleased to announce more than $425 000 in grants to improve crisis and medium-term accommodation services.
Crisis and medium-term accommodation gives Territorians who fall on hard times, particularly women and children, a safe place to stay, away from potential trouble and sleeping rough. The grants awarded yesterday will support crisis accommodation providers to upgrade their facilities for the benefit of Territorians. I will list some of the organisations which received grants:
- • Katherine Women’s Crisis Centre was given $110 000 to upgrade security services;
- • St Vincent de Paul Society was given $160 000 for a range of infrastructure upgrades - one at Ozanam House, Bakhita Centre in Darwin, and Ormonde House in Katherine;
• the YWCA in Darwin was given $46 000 to upgrade Casy House;
• Dawn House in Darwin was given nearly $31 000 for renovations;
- • Tennant Creek Women’s Refuge was given $48 000 for security and infrastructure upgrades; and
- • Anglicare NT was given $30 000 to develop a business plan for The Lodge in Alice Springs.
Crisis accommodation should not be an end point. We need to focus on helping Territorians who do fall on hard times to get back on their feet, to move into their own homes, gain work, and get their kids to school. The Henderson government will continue to support crisis accommodation, as well as developing programs to help Territorians get back up on their feet as an important part of Building Safer Communities.
Alice Springs Hospital –
Failure of Phone System
Failure of Phone System
Mr CONLAN to MINISTER for HEALTH
The report on the review of outpatient services, in which you highlighted a number of deficiencies under your watch, from April this year, also highlighted chronic difficulties with the phone system for outpatient services - dj vu - a bit like the police phone system in Alice Springs. Nevertheless, this failure means patients frequently leave the hospital without making an appointment. Does not the fact that not even the phone system works at the Alice Springs Hospital warrant a full public inquiry into the Territory’s health system?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I have already outlined the review and the measures. I take on board the issue that the member for Greatorex has raised. However, if we are talking about Alice Springs Hospital and the difficulties it faces, why do we not look at the continuing difficulties regarding works that were carried out during the CLP time?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, much has been …
Mr Conlan interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Greatorex, you are on a warning! Minister, please continue.
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, the member for Greatorex has raised a valid point about a phone system he says is not working. However, I wonder if he has actually walked around the wards that were renovated, that is the word, or rebuilt, under the CLP? What happened there is an absolute disgrace and it is still inconveniencing patients ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: We are still having to decant wards, Madam Speaker. Whole wards are having to be decanted, because this problem has been ongoing since 2001 ...
Mr Elferink: You inspected it, you signed off on it, you finish the job.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Members interjecting.
Mr Elferink interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Port Darwin, you are on a warning!
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, there are big issues in Alice Springs Hospital. We are working through the legal and operational issues that we inherited from the CLP. But what else are we doing? We are building a new ED; we are carrying on with work such as this, and we will continue to work with Alice Springs Hospital to make it the best hospital in Central Australia.
Statehood
Mr McCARTHY to MINISTER for STATEHOOD
On the 30th Anniversary of Self-Government this year, the Chief Minister recommitted the Territory to statehood. Could the minister please outline to the House the government’s next steps towards statehood?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Barkly for his question. The Henderson government is committed to statehood. The Chief Minister recommitted the Territory to working towards statehood on 1 July, and it is important that this road is a bipartisan one.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his continued support and that of his colleagues, especially in regard to the Statehood Steering Committee and the work of the committee over the month of June with the campaign, and in the lead-up to the workshops that will take place next year. It can only happen through a bipartisan approach at a political level.
It is also about harnessing the hearts, if you like, of our fellow Australians around the country, that we in the Northern Territory want to be equal citizens with our fellow Australians. We ask them to encourage us to join them at the seat of Federation as the seventh state.
Berrimah Research Farm –
Proposed Redevelopment
Proposed Redevelopment
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for PLANNING and LANDS
I have been told by reliable sources that your government has completed an audit of the buildings at Berrimah Research Farm and a large number of buildings have been earmarked for demolition. Could you advise if this is true? How many buildings, and which particular buildings, are to be demolished? Did staff at Berrimah, and Primary Industry in general, and the public, have input into the findings of the audit? Will you give a guarantee that no buildings will be demolished until the government’s proposed Greater Darwin Strategic Plan consultancy report is completed, or a full EIS and a land use objective proposal for East Arm and Berrimah is completed?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. I know he does not want to see the residential and light industrial development at Berrimah Farm, but rest assured …
Mr WOOD: A point of order, Madam Speaker! If the minister wants to attribute statements to me, she needs to get them correct. I do not want housing there; I do want light industry.
Ms LAWRIE: Okay. I know the member for Nelson does not want to see residential at Berrimah Farm …
Mr Wood: Yes, silly place.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: There are many people in the community who are very interested in that beautiful location. It has prevailing harbour breezes, beautiful views …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: … it is extremely well located. It will be near Harbour Town. You can go shopping at Harbour Town from Berrimah Farm. I am sure people would enjoy that.
As to the question in and around Darwin …
Members interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: They do not like to hear the good news about Harbour Town, and they certainly do not like to hear the good news about the opportunity to live in a beautiful location between Darwin and Palmerston cities. It is a real link between our cities, it is exciting ...
Mr Wood: Oh, come on! It is all an excuse to develop it.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Nelson!
Ms LAWRIE: Of course, before any residential development can occur at Berrimah Research Farm, quite appropriately, government agencies are involved in looking at the existing infrastructure there. We went out, very publicly, when we said we would have residential and light industrial there, in announcing that there would be a percentage of Berrimah Research Farm for ongoing research. Certainly, the bulk that is there will be relocated to other research areas in the Territory.
That involves an enormous body of work, undertaken by the former of DPIFM, now brought together with the Business agency, the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, and we also have the Department of NRETA involved, because there are significant issues regarding scientific research and laboratories across the Territory. The good news is, there are many options in terms of where that research will occur in the future, who it occurs with, and the use of laboratories. There are certainly opportunities for our researchers currently at Berrimah Research Farm in terms of what the future holds for them.
All of those assessments and audits are occurring, and all of that information will come back to relevant ministers for consideration. The reports are being gathered. We are expecting to see that information soon. The sooner we get on with developing Berrimah Research Farm for residential, and the time lines will fit very nicely with the Harbour Town Shopping Precinct development, you will have a very nice place to live and a very nice place to shop. It is very good news for many Territorians who are looking for a very nice place to live and a very nice place to shop.
Katherine Economic Profile
Mr McCARTHY to MINISTER for REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Can the minister update the House about the work under way to profile the Katherine economy?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Barkly for his question. It is certainly a good question on Katherine, a great place in the Territory. The Katherine Economic Profile will, for the first time, provide us with a clear snapshot of the Katherine region economy. The project will give the Northern Territory government and the Katherine community the hard data, and will provide a point for future discussions and partnerships to grow the regional economy.
My Department of Regional Development is continuing the work begun by the former Department of Business, Economic and Regional Development.
The Katherine project follows on from the success of the Alice Springs Economic Profile released earlier this year, which showed strong confidence in the Alice Springs economy. The member for Macdonnell and myself are very happy that tomorrow we will be seeing the opening of Target in Alice Springs. I believe that does demonstrate the level of confidence.
I am very pleased to report that the initial data coming through is showing strong business confidence in Katherine as well, and an upbeat business outlook ...
Mr Westra van Holthe: What about the businesses that are closing?
Mr HAMPTON: More than 168 local businesses have taken part, member for Katherine, in the face-to-face surveys, which will give us information about the local labour market and structure; performance; and, the confidence of businesses in the region. More businesses will be contacted to provide further information next week. I thank all those who are contributing to this important work.
I also acknowledge the great work done by the Katherine Economic Development Committee. They are a fine example of local people finding local solutions and ideas. The Katherine Economic Survey is due to be released later this year and will provide the hard data for the Northern Territory government and the local community to plan for the region’s future development.
Acute Health Care Services –
Proposed Public Inquiry
Proposed Public Inquiry
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
Today’s questions have gone to the competency of your government in running the hospital system in the Territory. Our nurses and doctors, and Territory patients, deserve much better. I ask you again, why are you ignoring the right of Territorians to know the truth about their public hospitals by refusing to support the opposition’s acute health care services inquiry?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, as I said at the beginning of Question Time today, the Health minister, in responding to the Coronial Inquiry in regard to the tragic death of Mrs Winter, has taken on board all of the recommendations of the Coroner, and all of those recommendations will be implemented. He has also commissioned the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards to review the clinical practices at Royal Darwin Hospital. Everyone who works at Royal Darwin Hospital will have the capacity to have input into ‘this expert review’ ...
A member: Will the evidence they take be made public?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: The minister has also said that the findings of this review will be made public. The findings will be made public. It will not be, as has occurred in this Chamber over this last couple of weeks, a star chamber, a kangaroo court, with allegations being put to this Chamber …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr HENDERSON: … without any evidence at all in regard to allegations that have been made against senior public servants. If we are searching for improvements in our system, then they will be determined by an independent expert review via the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards.
When we talk about health, and what this government has done and what this government is doing, since 2001, we have seen the most significant expansion of the health system in the Northern Territory. We have seen the most significant increase …
Members interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: … in terms of new specialist services that are available in the Northern Territory; the most significant increase in terms of new doctors in the Northern Territory, 162 extra doctors since 2001, 433 additional nurses since 2001, and a health budget that has increased by over 89% …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … and is now marching towards the $1bn figure a year. By all accounts, there has been a significant investment in our health system, with significant improvements …
Mr Bohlin interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Drysdale, you are on a warning.
Mr HENDERSON: … in health care services that are available to the people of the Northern Territory.
Tragically, we had the death of Mrs Winter in 2006. The identification of the issues and circumstances of that death were very clearly identified by the Coroner. He made very specific recommendations as to what needs to be done to ensure that such circumstances do not occur again. Those recommendations will be implemented. They will be oversighted by Australia’s most pre-eminent expert, independent of the department, independent of the hospital, in the implementation of that new rostering system for nurses, and an independent review by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards.
That is a comprehensive, open, transparent, response to the Coronial Inquiry …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr HENDERSON: … open, comprehensive, transparent response to the Coronial Inquiry. The recommendations will be implemented and this government will continue to work on expanding the quality and the capacity of our health system right across the Northern Territory.
Ms LAWRIE (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016