Computer Millennium Bug
COMPUTER MILLENNIUM BUG
The Hon. Dr B. P. V. PEZZUTTI: My question without notice is to the Minister for Public Works and Services, representing the Deputy Premier, Minister for Health, and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, and his own portfolio. I refer the Minister to his answer in the House on 20 May regarding the millennium bug when he stated:
The results of assessments and tests conducted to date indicate that very few items of equipment are likely to have their functionality affected by the problem, and the vast majority of those can be rectified to eliminate any impact.
Has the Sutherland hospital identified a laser camera and an ultrasound machine that will be rendered inoperable in the year 2000 and will cost approximately $550,000 to replace? Has the Central Sydney Area Health Service identified 15,000 pieces of equipment that need testing and possible replacement? In light of this information would the Minister care to reconsider his answer?
The Hon. R. D. DYER: Although yesterday I described the Hon. Dr B. P. V. Pezzutti in his absence as my "esteemed colleague opposite", I doubt his capacity to quote anything accurately. Last week the honourable member asked me a question which I described as a "vexatiously expressed question". The honourable member went outside and issued a media release bearing the heading, "Life saver helicopter blueprint described as Vexatious by Minister". No way in the world did I describe any such blueprint as vexatious.
The Hon. Dr B. P. V. Pezzutti: On a point of order. Yesterday the Minister had an opportunity to give a personal explanation on this matter and that should be the end of it. He should not raise the matter again.
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The PRESIDENT: Order! What is the point of order?
The Hon. Dr B. P. V. Pezzutti: That is it.
The PRESIDENT: Order! There is no point of order.
The Hon. R. D. DYER: I have established the point without doubt that the Hon. Dr B. P. V. Pezzutti, on the basis of his recent track record, cannot be assumed to quote anything accurately. Before I accept the veracity of the quote attributed to me I want to read it in Hansard for myself. Be that as it may, I will refer such parts of the question as might deserve a response to my colleague the Minister for Health.