Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

What I can guarantee is that the Commonwealth is implementing lasting reform. For the New South Wales hospital and health system, it represents about $20.5 billion over five years. This package includes $1.1 billion to train more doctors, nurses and other health professionals; $500 million to improve subacute care services; and $700 million in 2008-09 for emergency departments. This is about putting in place the infrastructure and the money to provide services in New South Wales and in other states. This will make sure that those employed in providing frontline health care will be there to do it. The Commonwealth government’s package will reduce pressure on public hospitals and assist states and territories to improve the quality and effectiveness of health care and provide flexibility in how they deliver those services to Australian people. That is the guarantee that this government will make. We are taking those— (Time expired)