Nicola Roxon (Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Health and Ageing) Share this | Hansard source

Yes, and three times you have asked a question which is not about the budget. We are in consideration in detail. I cannot help it that, through tactics, you cannot make this a question to ask during question time. This is an opportunity to ask questions about the budget. The relevant issue relating to elective surgery, which was in fact in last year’s budget, is the $600 million investment. This is the first time a Commonwealth government ever put money into elective surgery, which delivered more than 40,000 extra procedures. The shadow minister is embarrassed by this because he never did anything. As the Assistant Treasurer, he never lifted a finger to put more money into health, and now he is here with a multibillion dollar health budget and he cannot ask a question about it.

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