HOSPITAL FUNDING

Mr MARSHALL (Norwood—Leader of the Opposition) (14:12): A supplementary, Mr Speaker. Given that the Premier's answer said that this is simply an issue between Victoria and the federal government, is the Premier aware that Queensland and New South Wales have today demanded their health funds back from federal Labor, and why won't the Premier demand South Australia's $31 million back?

The SPEAKER: Well, that's not a supplementary. Premier.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Treasurer, Minister for State Development, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for the Arts) (14:12): The Leader of the Opposition I know hasn't been in this game for very long, but he should appreciate that from time to time—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Well, it is pretty elementary that the eastern state premiers (the Liberal premiers) are going to advance political propositions against a federal Labor government that has in fact increased the amount of funding into the healthcare system as a consequence of the changes that are made.

There have been dramatic increases in healthcare funding by our federal Labor government, because federal Labor and state Labor share the same objectives, which are improving the service delivery to the citizens of this nation. So, we stand together in wanting to help people by improving community services. What's happening on the eastern seaboard is that each of these state governments, that are having the same pressures on their budgets that we are having here, are seeking to slash into their public sectors in a way we have chosen not to do here, but they're doing something different.

Instead of accepting responsibility for the changes that have been made, instead of actually saying very openly and honestly that we are prepared to put on the line our AAA credit rating—because we want to invest in jobs, projects for the future and services that help people—and instead of being honest about that and saying that we've actually made a public policy choice, they seek to shift responsibility to a federal government whose only crime is to put more money into state governments in relation to healthcare spending. So don't get sucked into it; they're leading you astray.

The SPEAKER: Before we come to the supplementary, for breaches of standing orders 131 and 142, I call to order the leader, the member for Hammond, the member for Unley, the member for Morialta and I warn the deputy leader for the second time. Point of order, member for Davenport?