00:00Ms Crazier.
00:04President, thank you.
00:05My adjournment matters for the Minister for Health.
00:07The action I seek is for the Minister to consider appointing an administrator at Albury-Wodonga Health.
00:13Last Thursday, Safer Care released its abridged findings into its investigation into the nation's only border health service,
00:20saying it speaks to cultural and behavioural challenges that have existed for some time.
00:25For those that have been following this saga, that is a staggering understatement.
00:30This health service is in turmoil.
00:32Staff confidence has collapsed, and I understand the Chief Medical Officer has now resigned.
00:37The full Safer Care Victoria report remains under lock and key.
00:41No-one's seen it.
00:42Labor's spin piece used to sell the report was tone deaf.
00:45It's another cover-up.
00:47Just the night before, more than 100 clinicians had it unanimously backed a vote of no confidence in the Executive.
00:53In October, there was a similar vote of no confidence.
00:56At that time, there were some, still loyal to management.
00:59Last Wednesday night, there were none.
01:03Where has the Minister been?
01:04Who is she listening to?
01:06The community don't want more reports, further surveys, vague promises of action in some bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo.
01:12The Safer Care investigation is claimed to be independent.
01:15But Albury-Wodonga's health executive was the overseer.
01:18It's the same executive that has presided over a health service where staff morale was rated the worst of any
01:24hospital in Victoria's public health system,
01:26that the AMA has publicly raised concerns about transparency, governance, staff distress and trust in leadership,
01:32that the New South Wales Health Minister asked the Victorian Government to investigate,
01:36where the Chair refuses to meet medical staff without the CEO present.
01:41President, this is a complete mess.
01:43Safer Care says this executive will be integral to a steering committee overseeing their recommendations.
01:49This is not the way to restore trust.
01:51The toxic culture that has been recognised by both New South Wales and Victoria includes the executive and board.
01:57They must stand aside from this committee.
02:00Section 61 of the Health Services Act is crystal clear.
02:02When a hospital board loses the confidence of its staff and community, the Act provides a remedy.
02:08Appoint an administrator.
02:10They must stand aside if this process is to restore the faith of 300,000 people who rely on Albury
02:17-Wodonga Health
02:17and improve the wellbeing of more than 3,000 staff.
02:21They deserve nothing less.
02:23Six weeks ago in this place, I said this is how health systems fail.
02:28Not suddenly, but through neglect, denial and refusal to act where there is still time.
02:32There is still time, but only the appointment of an administrator can restore the trust
02:37so that these changes will make a difference.
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