Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I know those opposite do not want to hear this. They do not want to hear the good work that this government is doing in the public hospital system because of the money we have put in and the agreement we have managed to reach with the states and territories through the COAG process, unlike those opposite over the last 12 years. They were completely unable to then progress this debate any further than a blame game. We have provided $64 billion over the five years and it is ensuring that we are getting on with the job; unlike those opposite, who do not want to recognise the fact that this government is actually putting the money into the public hospital system.

Of course, none of those initiatives and improvements would have occurred if those opposite had anything to do with it. The member for North Sydney said as much in February—