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

I am not aware of the submission that Senator McLucas refers to, but, in relation to the Commonwealth government’s position, it is quite clear that we aim to have a health system which benefits all Australians and, where we have state and territory governments that fall down in their duty, we will back up those communities that have suffered from the negligence of those state and territory governments. I am advised that Senator Parry put out a statement. That statement, which I understand is dated today, says that comments attributed to Senator Parry in the company of others, including a journalist, have been taken out of context. Senator Parry states:

I am disappointed that the Labor Party has mischievously used a remark from a private conversation to achieve political mileage regarding the Mersey Community Hospital. I support the Government’s plans to deliver a sustainable, safe and viable health system for the people of Tasmania.

The people of north-west Tasmania would be better served if Mr Rudd, the Labor Party and the Tasmanian government supported the government’s actions to improve hospital services, including the Mersey Community Hospital. The injection of $45 million should free up additional resources for north-west health services. Senator Parry, a very strong supporter of medical services in Tasmania, endorses the actions that the government have taken—and quite rightly so—in addressing community concerns where there is a gap in the provision of health services due to the negligence of the state government. The national government of Australia will not stand by and see the diminution of services to the Australian people because of the negligence of state and territory governments.