Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for his question. The honourable member understands that Commonwealth funding to health services—hospitals, Medicare, PBS and in every respect—in Tasmania is at record levels. The honourable member would also understand that the Commonwealth has recently made a payment of $730 million in respect of the Mersey Community Hospital so that will be transferred back to the ownership and responsibility of the state government. That is a very substantial payment to the Tasmanian government to enable that to be done and to secure the provision of that hospital's services and other services in that part of Tasmania.

I recognise the concerns the honourable member has, but I would say to the honourable member that the provision of the substantial financial support the Commonwealth makes to Tasmania enables the state government to deliver, for its part, on the public hospital services for which it is responsible. Those are the Tasmanian government's constitutional responsibilities. The Commonwealth is playing its part, funding Tasmania appropriately and substantially, and that is increasing at every turn.

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