Emma Davidson survives no-confidence motion
ACT Mental Health Minister Emma Davidson has survived a motion of no-confidence levelled against her.
Canberra Star
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ACT Mental health Minister Emma Davidson has survived a motion of no-confidence from the Canberra Liberals following the fall out of a data breach at Canberra Health Services.
Last week it was revealed health records were sent to the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) without the consent of patients.
Deputy Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson, moved the motion claiming there were multiple issues in Ms Davidson’s portfolio, including ongoing issues at the Dhulwa Mental Health Unit and reports of a toxic work environment in Ms Davidson’s office.
The motion failed with eight votes for and 15 votes against.
The vote came after more than an hour of debate in the chamber where Mr Hanson accused the government of only ascending Ms Davidson to her role as a minister to appease the ACT Greens.
“We have given her the benefit of the doubt,” Mr Hanson said.
“(This data breach is) the straw that broke the camel's back.”
During the debate, Ms Davidson revealed the patients affected by the data breach where at the Dhulwa Mental Health Unit.
She said the people responsible for the leak were no longer working at the facility.
“I want (patients) to have justice, dignity, and respect,” she said.
“(To the Canberra Liberals I want to say) patience is the companion of wisdom.”
Greens leader and ACT Attorney General Shane Rattenbury described Ms Davidson as “hard working” and as the kind of minister “you want in your corner.”
He accused the Canberra Liberals of pushing the motion for “political mileage” and to “collect a political scalp” rather than to hold Ms Davidson accountable.
That sentiment was echoed by Mr Barr who described the motion as “crass political point scoring”.
Mr Barr described Ms Davidson as “brave” for starting her role during the Covid-19 pandemic and said she did not “shirk” from her responsibility.
Liberal MLA Ed Cocks said he had “no joy” in supporting the motion.
“Mental health should not be treated as some minor portfolio” Mr Cocks said.
“(It’s) not enough to hide behind platitudes and weasel-words.
“Can the minister fix the mental health system? It’s become clear she cannot.
“(Ms Davidson) can't confront the deep problems (and) can’t admit the small problems,” Mr Cocks said.
Liberal MLA Elizabeth Kikkert raised concerns about Ms Davidson’s justice health portfolio, stating the Healthy Prisons Review into the Alexander Maconochie Centre found there was “hostility” between ACT Corrective Services and health organisations working within the justice system.
“(Ms Davidson) is unable to create good working culture,” she said.
“It’s only a matter of time until another critical incident happens.”
During this term Canberra Liberals have moved no-confidence motions against Mr Barr, Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry, Skills Minister Chris Steel, Mr Rattenbury and Corrections Minister Mick Gentleman.
None of the motions have been successful.
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