Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Minister for Rural Health) Share this | Hansard source

My answer, quite obviously, is: this minister. Indeed, this government is making very sensible, measured decisions about funding not only related to health but right across all portfolio areas when it comes to a sustainable future for this country. We on this side of the chamber do not believe it is appropriate, like those opposite in the Labor Party do, to do policy on the run, to have ill-thought-through policy that is not costed and not funded. We actually do not think that that is appropriate. We think that responsible governments make economic decisions that are balanced and measured, and we will continue to do that. We will also continue, as I have stated several times now, to increase hospital funding over the forward estimates every single year. We will continue to make those sensible decisions for the benefit of the Australian people.