The Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, is running a “drop-in clinic” for Members and Senators from her ministerial suite in Parliament House with no assistance from the Department of Health and Ageing.
In questioning at Senate Estimates Jane Halton, Secretary of the Department of Health and Ageing, told Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Shadow Minister for Ageing and Shadow Minister for Mental Health, that “We don’t have any visibility of this Senator”.
“I was surprised to receive an email invitation from Ms Roxon’s Caucus Liaison officer to the drop-in clinic which will be held in the Minister’s suite today between 5pm and 6pm,” Senator Fierravanti-Wells said.
“Apparently it runs in sitting weeks but this is the first time the invitation has been extended beyond government Members and Senators, perhaps reflecting the new political paradigm of the 43rd Parliament.
“Senator Jan McLucas, Parliamentary Secretary for Health, said the clinics had been running for years. She was not able to explain what issues had been raised, how many backbenchers had availed themselves of this service or how matters are diagnosed and treated once they are raised with the Minister.
“Ms Halton was not able to tell me which, if any, matters raised had been forwarded to the department for further action. Indeed, she said no departmental resources had been utilised for the clinic.
“While this sort of personal attention is commendable from the Minister it is astonishing that there seems to be no formality surrounding handling of issues raised at the clinic.”