Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister and refers to his reply to my earlier question where he said that dental health has been the responsibility of the states since time immemorial. Has the Prime Minister recently read the Constitution, which states in section 51:

51. The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of the Commonwealth with respect to:—

              …              …              …

(xxiiiA)

The provision of maternity allowances, widows’ pensions, child endowment, unemployemnt, pharmaceutical, sickness and hospital benefits, medical and dental services ...

Has the Prime Minister now suspended the Constitution, or on what basis does the Prime Minister now claim that since time immemorial the states have had exclusive responsibility for dental? When will the Prime Minister cease engaging in the blame game with the states? When will the Prime Minister put forward a practical—

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