The next two public hearings of the Parliamentary Inquiry into Health outcomes and access to health and hospital services in rural, regional and remote NSW will be live streamed after a successful motion by Greens MP and healths spokesperson Cate Faehrmann, who is also a member of the NSW Upper House Health Committee.
The move comes after Cate Faehrmann spoke in parliament on the inequities caused by not live streaming the inquiry, depriving many of those in rural and regional communities from the opportunity to participate in, observe and report on the inquiry.
"I'm really pleased that a solution was able to be found to ensure that those most impacted by the lack of health services in remote and rural NSW can access these hearings," said Ms Faehrmann.
"This is about fairness, transparency and accountability. That's why it's so important that these hearings are made available to everyone. What's more, in 2021 and with most of Australia and the world conducting all sorts of business via video link, it's unacceptable to the community that such an important Inquiry as this one is not able to do the same.
"It is certainly my hope that this trial, which will be in place for the Wellington and Dubbo hearings, be extended to all of the remaining hearings. If we can't even give rural and regional people access to a livestream what hope have we got of giving them access to improved health services?
"The irony that an Inquiry established to investigate the issues faced by remote communities and provide an opportunity for them to tell their stories is not available online was not lost on those wanting to observe and report on the inquiry," said Ms Faehrmann.
The resolution passed by the committee was as follows:
Suggested Resolution: That the committee:
• Authorise the filming and broadcasting of its public proceedings held outside of Parliament House, on a trial basis
• Authorise the following statement to be included on the inquiry webpage:
Hearings and transcripts
In light of recent media and public interest in viewing the committee's regional hearings, the committee will be trialling the live webcasting of its public hearings in Wellington and Dubbo. The webcasts will be available on the NSW Parliament's website at:
