Northern Beaches Hospital Proposal
Reverend the Hon. Dr GORDON MOYES: I ask the Minister for Health a question without notice. Is the Minister aware that the recent value management workshops conducted by the Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Health Service on 19 May and 9 June this year regarding site options for the new northern beaches hospital has been referred to the New South Wales Ombudsman and the Independent Commission Against Corruption concerning issues of probity in how the process was undertaken? Has he directed the Director General of Health to investigate this most important process independently to ensure transparency and probity? Is the Minister also aware that Pittwater Council has sent a detailed submission to the Ombudsman on the issue of probity within this process?
The Hon. JOHN HATZISTERGOS: The Department has tried to be as transparent and open about this issue as possible. That is why all that information about the value management study was published. The workshop was held and discussions and votes took place. Unfortunately some of the people from the Pittwater area were outvoted in relation to their preferences. We have indicated there will be an economic appraisal, which will also be released, so there will be transparency as far as the ultimate decision is concerned. People are entitled to go to the Ombudsman and to the Independent Commission Against Corruption to make complaints. I do not know what other information can be provided. An upper House inquiry has dealt with this issue and canvassed all matters. Some people obviously do not like what others have to say. There is a division of opinion. The director general will co-operate with whatever inquiries are required.
