George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Senator O'Neill, I do not know how many times I have to tell you that we are increasing hospital funding by 25 per cent over the next four years. That is what the figures in the budget reveal. I take it your reference to 'contemplating' is a reference to the draft green paper. Senator O'Neill, when you have one of these green-paper processes, the point of the process is to put all the options on the table. Now, you should know that, Senator O'Neill, because your own National Platform says this about reforming the federation—let me quote your National Platform to you:

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.

What your National Platform foreshadows is exactly the same process that the Abbott government is in fact undertaking—that is, putting the various options on the table so that policymakers can make informed choices.