Amended Answers to Oral Questions — Question No. 3 to Minister

I seek leave to make a personal statement to clarify an answer given in the House earlier today.

💬 Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There is no objection.

Earlier this afternoon I told the House that I had not received a draft copy of the independent report of the ministerial review group. On reflection, I need to clarify that statement, as it was based on a literal interpretation of the question. It is correct that I did not get a draft of the full report. However, I did receive some early drafts of part of the report. A staff member also received a draft copy of annex 6, and I will table these at the end of my statement.

The material covered about 50 pages of what turned out to be a 190-page report. I received the ministerial review group final report on Friday, 31 August, the due date. Dr Horn advised me that he had discovered some typographical errors, and delivered a corrected copy the following Monday. Dr Horn advises me that no recommendations or content were changed. I am aware that a table of contents and biographical details were inserted over the weekend by Dr Horn. I maintained regular contact with Dr Horn and members of the ministerial review group, including having a dinner with them. As the Acting Prime Minister said today, the Minister of Health responsibly discussed with the review group what recommendations it was making. I want to make it clear that at no stage, as I said in the House today, did I issue any instructions that recommendations be changed, and I apologise to the House for any incorrect impression given by my answer earlier today.

💬 Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you.

I seek leave to table four documents.

💬 Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection?

💬 Hon Trevor Mallard: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Just before that, can we have it clarified that it is the full draft report received by his office by a staff member on the Friday that he—

💬 Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I ask the Minister to respond.

No, it is not that. These are the drafts that I received.

💬 Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: They are the drafts that the Minister received. Leave is sought to table those documents. Is there any objection? There is no objection.

Documents, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.