Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister's federation green paper that proposes to cut every single dollar from public hospital funding. Isn't this just another way for the Prime Minister to force states to implement his Commission of Audit recommendation to charge a hospital tax for emergency department visits?

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The simple answer is no. But we are not running away from a sensible discussion about the future of our country. We are not running away from this opportunity for the states and territories and, indeed, for the people of Australia to think about what is going to help our country in the years and decades to come. We are not scared of this. We are absolutely not scared of this.

Ms Plibersek interjecting—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Sydney will desist.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Again I say to members opposite that the Labor Premier of South Australia is prepared to enter in good faith into a serious discussion about how we can have better public hospitals, better public schools. The other states and premiers are prepared to have proper discussions about this. The only people who are incapable of handling a mature debate, it seems, are members opposite. The only people who would rather they engage in mindless cackling, endless interjection and endless complaining are members opposite. I am a little surprised because Labor's national platform states:

Labor believes our Constitution and Federation need to be modernised to resolve the funding and administrative problems that have prevented government effectively dealing with the challenges of today.

Mr Bowen interjecting—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for McMahon is warned.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Get with your own program—that is what I say to members opposite. Over the next few months, lots of things will be proposed. Lots of ideas will come up. But what matters is not what goes into the process; what matters is what comes out of the process. I can assure members opposite, I can assure every single Australian that this government will propose nothing that will not lead to better public schools, better public hospitals and nothing of substance that we will not be prepared to take to the people at the next election.