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

My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister match Labor's commitment to provide $4½ million to TAZREACH health services so that sick Tasmanians in the north-west and the west coast can get the specialist care they require, in their communities, instead of being forced to travel to the mainland?

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The federal government is providing record funding to Tasmanian hospitals, and, indeed, the new five-year agreement from 2020-21 will see Tasmanian hospitals receive an extra $373.6 million, the five-year total going up to $2.4 billion. Of course, that is in addition to the $730 million that was paid to Tasmania—the largest single payment to Tasmania ever from the Commonwealth—in respect of the transfer back to Tasmania of the Mersey Community Hospital.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister will resume his seat. The Leader of the Opposition on a point of order.

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

It is on direct relevance, like the previous question. TAZREACH health services have nothing to do with hospital funding. It was a very specific question. Will the Prime Minister provide $4½ million for specialists to provide outreach services so Tasmanians in Braddon don't have to flay to the mainland to get the care they deserve and require and should get in their own communities?

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before I call the Prime Minister, just on the Leader of the Opposition's point of order: it certainly was a question that related to one topic. It was not as specific as the previous question. I'm listening carefully to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is in order.

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Contrary to the lies that are being spread by the Labor Party, the federal government is providing increased and record funding for health right across the nation, whether it is in hospitals, whether it is in pharmaceutical benefits, whether it is in Medicare. And we are able to provide that funding because we have the budget under control, because we're able to bring it back into balance. We're able to put life-saving drugs on the PBS, not like Labor, who had to hold them back because they couldn't afford to put drugs onto the PBS. You know very well you did. You held them back. It was a disgrace. You should be ashamed of your record.

The Labor Party failed Australians on health, they failed them on national security, they failed them on economic management and they would fail them again were they ever to occupy this side of the chamber.