Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Minister for Health) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to briefly respond to the member for Ballarat's comment on this bill, with the overarching remark that the Labor Party has no credibility when it comes to medical research. This is backed up by facts not by rhetoric.

Ms King interjecting—

The member for Ballarat, I listened to you. I listened to you attack the government for 10 minutes, and I think it is appropriate that you listen to the response. I think we need to make the point about what Labor's record tells us about medical research. We know that after the Howard government was re-elected in 2001, the spending on medical research ramped up by a multiple of four between 2001 and 2006. There was an enormous increase in the total quantum allocated to medical research in principle during the time that the now Prime Minister was health minister. If we contrast that with Labor's record, in the 2011 budget, Labor tried to take out $400 million by rephasing the way that the NHMRC, which the member for Ballarat talked about today, was paid and distributed its funding.

Ms King interjecting—

It was a pretty amazing contribution that we have just heard from the member for Ballarat suggesting that Labor's record on medical research is a good one. So that was $400 million. Another $130 million came out in the 2013 budget—right before the bell, as it happens prior to an election: look for a pot of money and take money out.

Ms King interjecting—

If the Labor Party want to be political, you will get a political response.

Ms King interjecting—

See this speech in context