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

I understand that the honourable member would like the Commonwealth to take responsibility for the provision of health care in Tasmania. I can assure the honourable member that the Commonwealth is not going to do that. We have a clear constitutional responsibility, which we are honouring. As you know, the Mersey hospital was acquired by the Commonwealth government 10 years ago. That has been brought to an end, at considerable cost to the Commonwealth—a $730 million payment to the state. The state has all the constitutional and political authority to manage its hospital system, its health system, appropriately. The Commonwealth is playing its part, generously and justly providing Tasmania with the funds to enable it to do so.

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