Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr Acting Deputy President. It is nice to know that those opposite are listening to my contribution because this is really important. In Tasmania, we know what the Howard government did when interfering with the state health system. We know what they did to the north-west coast hospital. We know what that cost the Australian taxpayers. We know that, and I have to say, through you, Mr Acting Deputy President, Senator Bushby—you were not here in this place during the Howard government's time—we know what happened in Tasmania. Now, under the Local Hospital Networks, we will see over the coming period of time how things will improve for the delivery of health services to our Tasmanian community.

But it is not just having the Liberals back in government at a federal level that we have grave concerns about. What will they do in health? We know they have a track record. We know Mr Abbott's track record. We know what former Prime Minister Howard's track record was. If it was only health, maybe the community could come to terms with that. But we know, when it comes to aged care, when it comes to industrial relations, what those opposite will do to the Australian community. So we on this side will always work to ensure that the most vulnerable in our communities have good access to good health care, that they have access to good dental care. That is going to be our priority. We will continue to do that. We on this side will do all we can to ensure—