Save Calvary Hospital Petition
To the Members of the ACT Legislative Assembly
We are extremely concerned at the announcement that the ACT Government intends to forcibly acquire Calvary Hospital.
Catholic hospitals have faithfully served the community for 170 years. They treat more than 1.5 million patients yearly, or three patients every minute.
The actions by the ACT government are an abuse of property rights and religious freedom.
We are concerned especially that:
- the legislation was drafted and tabled without any consultation with Calvary Hospital, management, staff or patients,
- the proposed timeframe demonstrates a complete unwillingness on the part of the ACT Government to dialogue with its citizens,
- that the ACT government does not have the competency to run a second hospital, as it is already struggling to provide adequate services at the Canberra Hospital, (Read the 2019 Independent Review.)
- that the government will target other faith, welfare and community groups without consultation.
The signatories to this petition have a variety of religious beliefs and value the work of Calvary Hospital under its current management.
We petition you, Members of the Legislative Assembly, to reject any attempts – legislative or otherwise – by the ACT Government to acquire Calvary Hospital.
Thank you in expectation,
May 2023
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Having worked at Calvary as a nurse, and been a patient there, I have experienced the special atmosphere of compassion and caring for patients and staff.
Also, when I was interviewed in 1982, for a job in maternity, by Sister Justin then director of nursing, she explained that I would meet women who had an abortion in the past. She said that we shouldn’t discriminate or judge these patients. I believe that to be the hospital’s way of treating patients.
I believe if the government took over control of Calvary, it would be a huge loss for Canberra.
Carmel Van Diemen
I have been Registered Nurse , of 40 years , In Catholic and Public system hands down the quality of care for the patients and staff the Catholic system wins 100% . Would the state government be game to take over of St Vincent’s Darlinghurst ? I think not . It’s was this hospital who lead the way caring for HIV + patients , i was there ! The Catholic hospital in Australia system is respected worldwide and valued by the citizens of this country . What’s next the Catholic schools. I am appalled at this potential take over if it happens they will loose my vote and I will actively encourage everyone I know to do the same.
This isn’t North Korea or China ACT Government, get your grubby hands off Calvary Bruce ACT. Governments have enough trouble running their own hospitals without taking ones that don’t belong to them.
Australia is known as a democratic nation and giving all a “fair go”.
Under Section 116 of our Constitution we have a guarantee of the Freedom of Religion and that Freedom is also part of the UN charter of Human Rights.
Section 51 [xxxi] sets the rules for the acquisition of property and as the ACT is a territory and not a State the Commonwealth has the duel power to intervene and stop this social nonsense
It is time for the Commonwealth to intervene and pull the ACT government into line or scrap the ACT government altogether
Draconian Section and time to change it
This is dictatorship on the part of the ACT Government. Canberra Hospital is a permanent building site and it is almost impossible to find a parking spot. Given the government’s intention to expand, Calvary will get the same treatment. The growing population means we badly need a third hospital. Leave Calvary alone and build a new one. The tram extension is not necessary and these funds should be redirected to the building of a new hospital.
Putinism is now gaining a foothold in the ACT. It appears to manipulate the minds of Chief Minister Barr and his comrades to help stake his claim to be the new Lord and Master on Calvary. Are our churches and lands next in line to be ‘laid waste’ for the developers to fight over? Surely not. We will forgive those who trespass against us.
I implore the ACT government to refrain from forcibly acquiring Calvary Hospital.
I am a trained History teacher and in the past was grateful to live in a society that strove to protect the rights and freedoms of people regardless of their political or religious persuasion. In recent years I have become disturbed by an increasingly tyrannical abuse of power that is infecting more and more aspects of Australian society.
I am horrified to witness the Orwellian abuse of power by the current ACT government. I never thought I would see the naked abuse of power that is evident in the current forcible takeover of Calvary Hospital. The ACT government is revealing a deep, insidious and impudent disrespect for ACT citizens that has more in common with the big brother of George Orwell’s “1984” than the Australian ethos that extols the virtues of freedom and respect.
I was listening to Father Tony Percy’s videotape on e-mail and my Security came up that it was scammed and should not go on. Fortunately I was able to do a submission through my I-phone but am concerned that others may be blocked from putting in their submissions.