David Norris (Independent)

While we should listen with respect to Senator Mary White because she has practical experience in the world of business, I am not sure that her argument regarding commercially sensitive information holds much water. We are considering issues of comparability and it is reasonable that when charges imposed by a particular nursing home are "materially in excess of the price at which long term residential care services are provided by other comparable nursing homes the Board shall have the power" to do this, that and the other. It is reasonable to seek to determine whether a charge is excessive. Perhaps I am missing something but I do not see anything commercially sensitive about the matter. I accept, however, that what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander and that it would be wrong of the State to demand standards from the private sector which it is not prepared to meet itself. I am not convinced by the argument on commercial sensitivity because the amendment is clear that a materially excessive charge is anomalous within the marketplace rather than in a situation where there is one provider. The State should be entitled to inquire into the reasons for charges being out of line.