Macular Disease

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (15:18): A supplementary question arising out of the minister's answer: will the minister therefore join the Liberal Party in opposing his government's $1 billion cuts in slashing health budget programs over the coming forward estimates?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (15:18): Again, we have the Liberal Party here trying to avoid any responsibility for the federal government's massive cuts and no explanation there about how the state responds. How is the state supposed to respond to this Liberal, cold, ideological attack on the most vulnerable in our community? That's what they are doing.

There is 1½ per cent cut to corporate tax in the federal budget—alright for the big end of town, big applause from the Liberals for that. But when they come to the most vulnerable in our society, when they put pressure on the states, all the states, by slashing their health and education budgets, no, it's not the federal government's fault, it's all the state governments. Well, wake up. South Australians see exactly what you are doing. You are the cheer squad for the federal government with these budget cuts, and we will hang them around your necks.