Hospital Bill Nister for Health Moves Leg
In the Legislative Assembly Dr Arthur moved for leave to bring a bill to incorporate regulate and promote public hospitals by establishing a Hospitals Commission to repeal the Public Hospitals Act and other Acts The Minister cited rising hospital demand statewide and the need to reorganise the system while maintaining some local autonomy The commission would oversee all state institutions with limited interference and provide guidance and management improvements Opposition members criticised financing plans and questioned provision for taxation funds A central issue remained how to finance and sustain hospitals including industry contributions and possible lottery funding