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

I thank the senator for his supplementary question about our health reform plan. Those opposite clearly do not want to talk about the health reform plan. The key here is that this government recognises that local hospitals are best placed to make decisions to meet local community health needs. That is why the government will hand control of hospitals to local hospital networks run by health and financial professionals rather than remote central bureaucracies.

One of the main messages we have heard from local doctors, nurses and allied health staff during the 103 consultations that have taken place around this country is the sense of alienation that they feel from the key decisions that affect their work. That is why the Rudd government will establish local hospital networks and pay them directly for each public hospital service that they provide. The network will be responsible for the day-to-day operations—(Time expired)