Chris Ellison (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Hansard source

The issue is the community concern in Devonport in relation to the Mersey hospital and the downgrading and withdrawal of essential services for the people who live in that immediate region. You listen to the community on the ground, and that is what the Commonwealth government has done in this case. It is remedying a situation which has been neglected by the Tasmanian state government.

It is interesting that Mr Rudd, the Leader of the Opposition, when he was questioned by Fran Kelly, kept his options open. He said:

... as soon as I have before me a comprehensive piece of paper which explains to me what the proposed management model is for this hospital for the future, and how it’s to be constructed, organised and delivered on the ground and integrated with the surrounding health care infrastructure of Northern Tasmania, I’ll give you an answer.

We have an issue here that requires a decision and not sitting on the fence. We are responding directly—(Time expired)