Coalition Senators Michaelia Cash and Matt Canavan will move in parliament today that a federal senate inquiry be held into the ACT government’s compulsory acquisition of Calvary Public Hospital and that the federal government intervene.

ACT Independent Senator David Pocock will seek to amend both motions, on the grounds of Territory rights. He said his amendments to the two Coalition motions acknowledge the concerns raised, and that he will seek to have these addressed by an ACT Legislative Assembly inquiry.

Senator Cash (Liberal Party) will call on the Albanese Government to introduce legislation to stop the forced acquisition of the Calvary Public Hospital.

In her view, the ACT government has attempted to avoid any scrutiny of the acquisition legislation by developing the bill in secret, deliberately avoiding any consultation or exposure draft process, and expressly refusing to hold an inquiry into the legislation; and the timeframe from the tabling of the ACT legislation to the acquisition of a major public hospital is extraordinarily short and unnecessary. She considers the ACT branch of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation’s concern over the lack of any consultation may not be consistent with the obligations in the ACT government’s own enterprise agreement. She also has grave concerns with this attack on religious institutions and on the ability of private and religious health care providers to care for the sick.

Senator Canavan (National Party), supported by 17 other senators, will move that the ACT government’s compulsory acquisition of Calvary Public Hospital be referred to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee.

“The ACT government held no inquiry into their draconian legislation to takeover private assets,” Senator Canavan posted on Facebook. “The ACT government plans to march into the hospital and take it over with just five weeks’ notice, throwing the livelihoods of 1,800 health workers there into disarray. The ACT government’s attack on property rights, religious freedom and employment rights needs a spotlight shone on it lest it be replicated elsewhere.”

Senator Pocock acknowledged that the acquisition had raised concerns from some in the community and certain stakeholders, but said that Territory rights must still be respected.

“The territories are already disadvantaged when it comes to our democratic rights and representation compared to the states,” he said. “I do not believe we should be ceding even more control to the Commonwealth.”

Senator Pocock said he had passed Canberrans’ concerns about the acquisition of Calvary on to ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr and health minister Rachel Stephen-Smith.

Those concerns include consultation and disruption to delivery of health services, workforce shortages, and establishing a precedent for further forced acquisitions of property from religious institutions. 

He has asked that the ACT government consider an ACT Legislative Committee inquiry into the handling of the acquisition and the impacts it will have on people’s access to healthcare in our city and our region.

“I will not advocate for our rights as a Territory then turn around and cherry pick particular decisions to be the subject of federal intervention or review where there was no decision-making power for the Commonwealth.”

Responding to interstate Coalition senators, Senator Pocock said Canberrans do have a voice, which helped finally restore Territory rights after the last election following a quarter-century-long campaign.

“I will stand up for our community every step of the way, but I won’t undermine our hard-won rights to self-government,” Senator Pocock said.

He noted that the ACT Branch of the Australian Medical Association opposes any federal inquiry, and said the primary focus needs to be on improving health services delivery across the Territory.

“Canberrans want and deserve a better healthcare system than what we have currently, and that’s what we need to focus our energy on delivering,” Senator Pocock said.

“I’ve been pushing the federal government to do more in the areas over which they do have jurisdiction, like addressing the severe shortage of GPs in our city.”