SW News:

"Efficiency had won, but humanity had lost," said Canberra-Goulburn Archbishop Christopher Prowse after meeting with Calvary Public Hospital Bruce staff in Australia on July 3. This came after the Australian Capital Territory government decided to acquire the Catholic health facility. 

The prelate said that the government's rationale overlooked the core human principles at Calvary Hospital in favor of concentrating only on efficiency. "The Catholic ethos adds a genuine character to the place," he remarked, rather than merely being a structure. 

Archbishop Prowse assured the hospital workers that he would assist them and listen to their concerns. He said that we are not machines. The archbishop went on to add that their opposition to change was natural given their noble aims, firm Catholic values, and strong familial ties. 

The Health Infrastructure Enabling Bill, according to Archbishop Prowse, is "draconian" and was enacted without considering healthcare professionals or patients. Meanwhile, a member of the management team said that she believed 30 days would be inadequate to cover all sectors due to the broad scope. "Even though we were in the same division," she said, "in my prior position with the Public Service, combining two services into one took 18 months." 

The ACT Legislative Assembly recently adopted a controversial measure that would enable the government to take over Calvary Public Hospital in the next month. Government officials said earlier this month that they will purchase the land and assets at the Bruce site, relocate workers to Canberra Health Services, and build and operate a new hospital in Calvary. 

Prior to the law's passage, Canberra Liberals leader Jeremy Hanson chastised the government and Chief Minister Andrew Barr. "It's difficult not to assume that there is an aspect that signals a religious assault," he said. A petition denouncing Calvary's forceful purchase received over 32,000 signatures, according to the MLA, and "their views should not be disregarded." 

Meanwhile, Calvary CEO Martin Bowles has said that the organization will be required to take legal action. According to Catholic Voice, Calvary will file an appeal with the High Court or the Federal Court if the injunction is not granted.