Urgent Debates Declined

Madam SPEAKER Link to this

I have received a letter from the Hon Tony Ryall seeking to debate under Standing Order 380 the safety of and risks to patients at the Grey Base Hospital, and the decision to send a senior doctor from Middlemore Hospital to investigate patient safety. For there to be a particular case of recent occurrence there must be a new situation of importance or a new development in the existing situation of sufficient importance in itself to warrant the debate being held. The decision to send a senior doctor from Middlemore Hospital to investigate patient safety is a particular case of recent occurrence involving the administrative responsibility of the Government. However, this is merely the announcement of a decision to conduct an investigation, and I do not believe that it requires the immediate attention of the House today. There will be other opportunities to debate the matter, especially as the House is about to debate the financial reviews of Crown entities, public organisations, and State-owned enterprises this afternoon. The application is therefore declined.