Ms Catherine King (Ballarat, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Territories, Local Government and Major Projects. Why has the government paid $56 million to the Northern Territory CLP government to dig a hole in Palmerston, part fill it with concrete, hold a media event and then immediately fill the hole again? I will show him, just in case he is not sure what we are actually talking about, with this big hole.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Ballarat will not use props.

Honourable members interjecting—

I have not called the minister yet. Members will cease interjecting. The minister does not have the call.

Mr Champion interjecting—

The member for Wakefield will leave under 94(a). You have been warned. The member will leave straightaway.

The member for Wakefield then left the chamber.

The minister has the call.

Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Minister for Territories, Local Government and Major Projects) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for the question. The Commonwealth is committed to supporting the construction of the new Palmerston Regional Hospital. The Commonwealth government has committed $110 million, including a promise of $40 million made before the last election. The hospital construction has commenced and I am advised by the Northern Territory government that Palmerston Regional Hospital will be delivered on time and within budget in May 2018.

Honourable Members:

Honourable members interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister will resume his seat. Members on both sides will cease interjecting. The member for Grayndler on a point of order.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise on a point of order, Mr Speaker. Digging a hole on Friday and filling it in on Monday—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Grayndler will resume his seat, and he is warned. The minister has the call.

Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Minister for Territories, Local Government and Major Projects) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Much has been made by those opposite of the fact that, following a successful pour of the concrete for the central stair core, the slab was covered. I am advised that the reason this occurred was for occupational health and safety.

Opposition members interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Members on my left will cease interjecting.

Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Minister for Territories, Local Government and Major Projects) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

May I say that I am surprised that the party which supposedly represents the interests of the workers should be so cavalier about a question of occupational health and safety. You may regard it as a laughing matter. Let me assure you that the Turnbull government does not treat matters of work and safety as a laughing matter.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Ballarat on a point of order.

Ms Catherine King (Ballarat, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Under standing order 201 could I ask that the minister table the document from which he was reading, which he received from the Minister for Health?

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Was the minister reading from a confidential document?

Government members interjecting—

The member for Herbert.