Health Budget

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (15:31): Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. My question is, again, to the Premier. Does the Premier stand by his comments that the closure of hospitals is, and I quote, 'Absolutely still an option without a 50 per cent increase to the GST?'

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (15:31): Well, that's not what I said, of course.

Mr Marshall: You absolutely said that!

The SPEAKER: The leader is warned. The Premier has not violated the standing orders in his answer thus far and does not deserve to be shouted over. Premier.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: What I did say, Mr Speaker, is that, unless these cuts are reversed, the prospect of closing hospitals is real. This is exactly what we said when the Hockey budget was first handed down. You will recall at that time that we met half of the hole that was created through the first Hockey budget through reversing the remissions on the ESL, which freed up some resources that we were able to apply to our health system.

Over howls of criticism from those opposite we were open and transparent in that. We sought to raise at least half of the challenge through additional revenue measures. The other half we have had to absorb in great pain, but if you think this is difficult, if you think absorbing the cuts that have been already applied through the budget cuts from the Hockey budget are difficult, they ramp up exponentially over the coming years, and in fact they grow by increments of $100 million in a few years' time.

They are simply incapable of being sustained within any state budget and, if you do not believe us, ask the Premier who runs probably one of the strongest state budgets anywhere in the nation, Premier Baird. He is saying precisely the same point as us. So, instead of actually criticising us, join with us in common purpose against those who are imposing the cuts on your state. Join with us. Add your voice to us.

I was prepared to challenge my party in our state's interests. Why don't you do the same? Why don't those opposite do the same thing and stand up for their state first and add their voice against the Turnbull government and its cuts?

Mr GARDNER: Point of order, sir: debate again.

The SPEAKER: I uphold the point of order. And before the Premier commenced debate there were offences against the standing orders by the member for Chaffey who is warned, the member for Mitchell who is warned and the member for Hartley who is warned for the second and final time.