Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Hansard source

To assert that I do not care about rural communities is so far from the mark it is extraordinary. As those opposite would also know, it is for cabinet ministers to determine budget arrangements. Those opposite may not know that I continually consult with those in the rural medical sector and, on an ongoing basis, I convey their views to the health minister. The economic mess Labor left us is the reason we had to make such tough decisions in this budget. When we came into government we inherited a situation of potentially a $667 billion debt. This government is responsible and it is prepared to make the decisions to fix that situation to ensure the future prosperity of the nation.