David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

Over the last month I've heard from hundreds of Canberrans, both expressing support for and raising concerns about the ACT government's decision to acquire Calvary Public Hospital. There are genuine concerns, such as how the decision may impact our already small health workforce here in the ACT and what this means for our other faith based institutions in Canberra. These are questions that deserve answers. I believe that there should be an inquiry but that it should be held at the level of government that made the decision.

We recently considered the Restoring Territory Rights Bill, which passed this chamber with broad support. We cannot support territory rights and then continue to cherrypick issues to be the subject of federal interventions where there is no federal jurisdiction over that issue. I will stand up for my community at every step, but I will not undermine our rights to self-government. I've written to the ACT's Chief Minister and Minister for Health asking them to undertake an inquiry into this issue.