Letter writer MARTIN GORDON, of Dunlop, says in October 2024 Labor and its Green enablers will confront the people and no amount of fudging will conceal the obvious health decline.

COLUMNIST Michael Moore (CN May 18) is right to identify desperation by the ACT Labor/Greens alliance as the motive to take over Calvary. 

He can speak from experience as a former ACT health minister and, like Jon Stanhope, speak with credibility in chronicling the decline in ACT Health performance from one of the strongest nationally to one of the weakest systems under Labor.

In recent times, the rise of the tram and its funding has mirrored the decline in funding for health and other services. Why act now? Might political mortality be a factor? 

In October 2024 Labor and its Green enablers will confront the people and no amount of fudging will conceal the obvious health decline. More facilities are needed but why have these not been delivered before (certainly before a tram!)?

The nationalisation is to result in the purchase and in time its replacement of the existing hospital with an entirely new facility (which is neither explained or even justified).

Calvary has been criticised over moral stances, fair enough, but Calvary is the best performing part of the ACT public health system. It has been for as long as I can recall, which is at least since 1993. So why cull it? If anything, it will undercut health performance here by doing so. Launching a hostile takeover, and platitudes of thanks don’t quite go together either.

I did disagree with Michael on the issue of Labor having been, apparently, open and accountable (they aren’t) – another reason for Labor and the Greens to pay a political price is the mendacity they have sought to remedy their health failures. They are playing with people’s lives.

Martin Gordon, Dunlop

Enough is enough, Mr Barr

THE recent decision by the ACT government to nationalise the Calvary Public Hospital has brought many comments from both sides of the argument. 

There has been the shock from the Catholic Church about being blindsided with no apparent discussions, the other side from the secular “no religion” parties attacking Catholicism and its “mystic beliefs”.

I do not believe that this action by the government has anything to do with the fact that a Catholic entity is – and has been for many years – running a public hospital. 

The elephant in the room is the belief in the sanctity of life. 

Catholic and many other Christian religions do not condone or believe in abortion or euthanasia. The taking of life either before birth or for any reason after is abhorrent and in some cultures a crime. 

Indeed, if I were to take the life of a person because he/she asked me to, I would be charged with a minimum of manslaughter, and yet laws are already in place in Australia – and soon in the ACT – to do exactly that! Sure, it is called Voluntary Assisted Dying, but it is actually killing a person because they have asked – and the medical world has agreed – to put them out of their misery.

This government wants us to accept that the ACT should be at the forefront of all this sort of legislation, as if it is a race or they need the bragging rights. 

Perhaps it is time for the people of the ACT to be asked directly what we want to happen in our territory. The light rail and its extension to Woden is one that stands high on the list.

I for one have had it. We are a democracy and at no time have we been asked about the hospital nationalisation and ever have we been consulted with the true costs of the light rail.

Enough is enough, Mr Barr!

Dave Jeffrey, via email

Distressed for the Calvary staff

I AM writing to express my deep concern and protest regarding the recent decision to compulsorily take over Calvary Hospital. This move is not only unfair but also has serious consequences for the patients, staff, and the wider community.

Calvary Hospital has been providing excellent healthcare services for years, and it has earned a reputation for being one of the best healthcare providers in the region. 

The staff at Calvary Hospital are highly skilled and dedicated professionals who have worked tirelessly to ensure the highest level of patient care. It is deeply distressing to hear that their hard work and commitment are being disregarded.

Furthermore, the compulsory takeover will have a negative impact on patients and their families who rely on Calvary Hospital for their healthcare needs. This takeover could result in a decrease in quality care and longer waiting times for patients, causing unnecessary stress and anxiety.

I urge the government to reconsider this decision and take into account the long-term consequences of this takeover on the hospital staff and the wider community. It is essential that we prioritise the needs of patients and ensure they have access to quality healthcare services.

Errol Good, Macgregor

The big worry is who’s next?

THE shock planned takeover of Calvary Hospital by “call-in” powers should be deeply worrying to all diplomatic sites, playing fields and Canberra Girls’ Junior School along Melbourne Avenue in the “yellow bits” of the Draft Canberra Plan for Deakin and Yarralumla. And who is next?

Greg Cornwell, Yarralumla

Other religions will question voting for Labor

SO the ACT government is going to use its endless source of money (until it defaults) buying up Calvary Hospital and spend hundreds of millions more building another hospital on the site. 

This is despite there being a desperate need for a new hospital in Tuggeranong, that can be built on more than sufficient free government owned land by the lake or by the river, within a kilometre of the town centre. 

Why? The Labor Party sustains long-standing hatreds. In this case, their long-standing hatred of religion, all religions, not only Catholics, shows itself.

Since the Opposition in the ACT is entirely useless, I suppose they can do nothing about it. But now, since ACT Labor has shown its anti-religious bias, maybe ACT Muslims, Hindus, as well as Christians, will start questioning why they are voting for Labor.

Tim Walshaw, Watson

Time for Calvary to go on strike!

I believe it’s time for a Goulburn-school-strike-style protest. Shut down Calvary Public Hospital now to all but the most dire of emergencies.

Send everyone else to Canberra Hospital. 

Maybe shut down Marymead and CatholicCare, too. Tell people to go to the ACT government for their care services!

Neil Dunn, Queanbeyan

Canberra, the Communist state

ONE of the pillars of a free democratic society is that contacts are upheld and enforced by law.

If the ACT government can purchase Calvary Hospital by force, then we no longer live in a free democracy. The government has given three weeks’ notice of this action! Is it pure avarice? Everyone in the ACT should be chilled by the proposed compulsory acquisition of Calvary. What is to stop the ACT government going after your business or your home because it suits them?

Rachael Nano, via email

Let’s have a red-hot-go at stuffing up Calvary, too