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

I have indicated to the senator that I do not have a brief in my capacity representing the minister who normally represents the Minister for Health and Ageing, who is in the other house. I have never known a state election campaign to be won in the Senate. Many have tried but generally they have been unsuccessful, and I think Senator Barnett has been here long enough to know that. I said to him that I would take the question on notice. I did indicate to him, in answer to the primary question, that this government has invested more than $64 billion, over the five years, across the nation. A large amount of this goes to Tasmania—for emergency department funding, elective surgery and many other aspects of health funding—to try and ensure a first-class health system for all Tasmanians. (Time expired)