Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Fifield interjects on health. Well, health will be one of the major priorities for this year. There has been a lot of detailed work addressing the health issues in this country. I think everyone accepts that there needs to be an overhaul of the way health is funded and the way the two levels of government work together in addressing the funding of health services. It is certainly an issue that the Prime Minister has put at the forefront of the COAG agenda. It is certainly something that we have been getting good cooperation on.

I was interested at the Australia Day function in Perth that the Western Australian Premier, Colin Barnett, acknowledged the very good working relationship that he had with the Prime Minister and the fact that the processes put in place were working well. So it is not just a question of constructive relationships with Labor governments but a constructive relationship with the Western Australian Liberal government. Health is certainly one of the priorities reflected in the COAG agenda and, obviously, the rollout of the education revolution has been a key part of what we have done to date.

COAG has a huge agenda. I know, for instance, the issue of management of our cities was one that was raised with me the other day and that COAG has listed for next year. I expect COAG to have a full program of work that will roll out through the year.