Questions & Answers Paper No. 158 - Parliament of New South ...
Questions & Answers Paper No. 158 - Parliament of New South ...
Questions & Answers Paper No. 158 - Parliament of New South ...
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7076<br />
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS<br />
MONDAY 12 OCTOBER 2009<br />
The proportion may vary over time as taxpayers' land holdings change and the number <strong>of</strong> taxpayers<br />
changes.<br />
*7429 OPERATOR FOR PHOENIX UNIT—MANLY HOSPITAL—Mr Mike Baird asked the Deputy Premier,<br />
Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce representing the Attorney<br />
General, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Health, Minister for the Central Coast, Vice<br />
President <strong>of</strong> the Executive Council—<br />
(1) Has the Government issued an Expression <strong>of</strong> Interest for a new operator <strong>of</strong> the Phoenix Unit at<br />
Manly Hospital?<br />
(2) Why did the Government <strong>of</strong>fer staff at the Phoenix Unit voluntary redundancies before issuing an<br />
Expression <strong>of</strong> Interest for a new operator?<br />
(3) How many staff at the Phoenix Unit have accepted voluntary redundancies?<br />
Answer—<br />
I am advised:<br />
(1) An Expression <strong>of</strong> Interest for a new operator <strong>of</strong> the Phoenix Unit at Manly Hospital has not been<br />
issued. The tender documentation is nearing completion.<br />
(2) Expressions <strong>of</strong> Interest for voluntary redundancy were invited across drug and alcohol services and<br />
were not exclusive to the Phoenix Unit at Manly Hospital. This was to assist the Area Health Service<br />
in planning for mapping personnel to positions throughout the course <strong>of</strong> the realignment <strong>of</strong> drug and<br />
alcohol services. Even where a staff member expresses interest in voluntary redundancy, there is no<br />
certainty that any <strong>of</strong>fer <strong>of</strong> voluntary redundancy will be made to them.<br />
(3) <strong>No</strong> staff member working at the Phoenix Unit has received voluntary redundancy at this time.<br />
*7430 CORPORATE EXPRESS—Mr Mike Baird asked the Minister for Education and Training, and Minister<br />
for Women—<br />
(1) On what evidence does the Minister claim that "the bulk buying approach is saving us about $8.25<br />
million a year" (Ministerial media release 18-03-09)?<br />
(2) Has the Department <strong>of</strong> Education instructed schools to deal with Corporate Express instead <strong>of</strong><br />
finding cheaper products from local suppliers?<br />
(3) Is the Minister confident Corporate Express provides a competitive price on school supplies?<br />
Answer—<br />
(1) From commencement <strong>of</strong> the Corporate Express supply arrangement in February 2009 spend data for<br />
<strong>of</strong>fice supplies shows $11,150,976 was spent, compared to the corresponding period in 2008 <strong>of</strong><br />
$14,920,435. This equates to an annual saving <strong>of</strong> approximately $10 million as a result <strong>of</strong> the bulk<br />
buying approach for <strong>of</strong>fice consumables.<br />
(2) <strong>No</strong>. I have repeatedly informed schools that they should never knowingly pay more for a product<br />
than they can source themselves. If a school is able to find a cheaper equivalent product from a local<br />
supplier then they are able to buy the cheaper product, provided they contact the Department who<br />
ensures the product is equivalent and the school is receiving value for money. I am advised that in<br />
the overwhelming majority <strong>of</strong> cases this does not arise with Corporate Express as their products are<br />
cheaper.<br />
(3) Yes.<br />
*7431 PATIENT TRANSFER COSTS—Mr Craig Baumann asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate<br />
Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce representing the Attorney General, Minister<br />
for Industrial Relations, Minister for Health, Minister for the Central Coast, Vice President <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Executive Council—<br />
(1) What was the total cost <strong>of</strong> transferring patients from Tomaree Community Hospital to other<br />
hospitals, x-ray services or otherwise via the NSW Ambulance Service in:<br />
(a) 2005-06;<br />
(b) 2006-07;<br />
(c) 2007-08;<br />
(d) 2008-09?<br />
(2) What was the total cost <strong>of</strong> transferring patients from Tomaree Community Hospital to other<br />
hospitals, x-ray services or otherwise via the Health Transport Unit in:<br />
(a) 2006-07;<br />
(b) 2007-08;<br />
(c) 2008-09?<br />
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