Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Marshall for his first supplementary question. The Victorian government once again have displayed their complete and utter contempt for Victorian patients. They do not seem even to be able to manage their own healthcare system. Like Mr Abbott and Premier Newman, all they can do is cut health spending. They do not want to invest in patient care. They do not want to invest in future hospitals. The Victorian government have slashed $616 million from the Victorian health system and, importantly, they have not even released the elective surgery data since the June quarter last year. They have not even provided that data. The Victorian Minister for Health needs to stand up and release that data so that we can compare and have a look at what that data provides. However, last night some other data was leaked and published on the front page of the Herald Sun. The health minister should stand up and either admit they are his figures or come out and complain. (Time expired)