Wednesday, 19 February 2020

Ministers statements: health funding

Mr ANDREWS (Mulgrave—Premier) (11:48): I am delighted to update the house on the government’s record investment in the health infrastructure that we need to treat more patients, to treat them faster and to have an environment that can deal with some of the challenges that we face as the community gets larger with growth. Obviously with longer life expectancy and advances in medical technology it is only appropriate that we have a long and detailed program, a pipeline if you will, of capital works across our health system—some $7 billion worth of new and upgraded hospitals right across our state. This is not just in the centre of Melbourne or in the suburbs; it is in regional centres and the smallest of country towns.

It is not just in hospitals, either; it is in ambulance services and primary care. It is in every part of our health system to support every patient in every part of our state. We are so pleased, not just in terms of physical buildings and equipment, but we have also hired some 4000 full-time additional nursing staff and 2600 full-time additional medical staff. Our paramedics—we have never had so many paramedics doing such amazing work. I know the member for Melton and all members on this side of the house remember the bad old days, but they now, with a real sense of pride, know that ambulance paramedics responded to 78 820 code 1 patients just last quarter. They responded to those almost 80 000 time-critical code 1 emergencies fully 2 minutes faster than under the previous government.

We have invested in every part of the health system in every corner of the state, so that every patient can get the care that they need when they need it as close to home as possible. That record investment will keep on coming.

Ms Ward: On a point of order, Speaker, I seek your guidance as to whether it is appropriate for the member for Gippsland East to withdraw his comment to me, apologise or be counselled by you for the implied threat that something unpleasant would be waiting for me in East Gippsland next week when I go down on caucus business and also to visit my family.

The SPEAKER: Order! I did not hear the comment that the member refers to, but I will follow it up outside the house and have a discussion with both members.

Mr D O’Brien: On a point of order, Speaker, I seek your assistance on question 1355, a question on notice to the Minister for Resources. The answer was due on 28 November and I am yet to receive a reply.

The SPEAKER: I will follow that matter up.

Ms Ryan: On a point of order, Speaker, I also have a number of questions which are outstanding. I have question 1344 to the Minister for Transport Infrastructure, which was asked on 29 October last year. For the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, questions 1433 and 1434 are still outstanding. They were asked in November last year. There are questions to the Minister for Roads and Minister for Road Safety and the TAC numbered 1650, 1651, 1653, 1654, 1655, 1656, 1657, 1658, 1659, 1662, 1663, 1664, 1665, 1668, 1669, 1670 and 1671, all of which were asked on 26 November last year and which related to accidents on roads around my electorate. I would be grateful if you would ask those ministers to comply with the standing orders.

The SPEAKER: I thank the member, and I will.

Ms Sandell: On a point of order, Speaker, following up on three unanswered questions on notice; the numbers are 01768, 01764 and 01744. Thank you.

The SPEAKER: I thank the member. I will follow that matter up as well.