Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Furner for his first supplementary question. The Senate would be aware that when it comes to health and hospital reform the Gillard government has made reform happen—unlike those on the other side when they were in government. We made these reforms in a Labor way, which means not leaving rural hospitals behind. We will deliver a more efficient health system through activity based funding, but we also make specific allowances for rural hospitals to ensure services continue to be provided and improved. That is why some small rural hospitals will continue to be funded by block grants where activity based funding would not maintain community service obligations. A significant proportion of our health reform funding is being directed into specific rural health programs; for instance, $12 million over four years for additional rural allied health scholarships—