Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Does the honourable member claim to have been misrepresented?

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Always in question time, by the Minister for Health and Ageing.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Please proceed.

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There are two times I wish to complain about today. Firstly, in question time today the minister for health claimed that I had endorsed the policy content of the New Matilda report released yesterday, A health policy for Australia: reclaiming universal health care. I actually welcomed this contribution to the debate and the fact that New Matilda were pointing to a significant void in the debate caused by the absence of participation by the Howard government in the health reform debate. I believe in democracy in a variety of voices. I am sorry the minister for health does not.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member has made her point.

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Secondly, the minister for health today claimed that I am opposed to the 30 per cent private health insurance rebate. This is not true. The minister for health has in fact himself on an earlier occasion conceded on national television that support for the private health insurance rebate is now bipartisan policy. I use his own words against him.