Page 2478 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 9 August 2016

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MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Coe.

MR COE: Treasurer, what role does the Treasury play in informing ministers’ offices about the costings of Liberal Party policies?

MR BARR: The Treasury has no role in costing Liberal Party policies, but the Treasury can be asked to cost policies.

MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Coe.

MR COE: Will you rule out using the Treasury or other agencies, or public servants, to cost Liberal Party promises between now and caretaker and after caretaker?

MR BARR: The government is subject to the provisions of the caretaker guidelines and the election commitments costings legislation. But I do remind members that at any time the government of the day can seek a costing on a policy. I repeat: at any time the government can seek a costing on a policy.

Budget—health funding

MS BURCH: My question is to the Minister for Health.

Opposition members interjecting—

MADAM SPEAKER: Order! I want to hear Ms Burch.

MS BURCH: Minister for Health, can you please provide the Assembly with an overview of the initiatives that have been included in the recent budget and also provide an update on how some of those initiatives included in the 2015-16 year’s budget are making a difference for our Canberran community.

MR CORBELL: I thank Ms Burch for the question. Yes, I am delighted to outline the very significant commitments this government is making in better health care for our community, because it puts the lie to the claims of those opposite that we never invest in better services for the community. In fact, this government is making hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars worth of investment in better health services for our community, and we have done so in each and every budget—each and every budget since we have been elected—and continue to do so in the most recent budget.

We hear from those opposite that people want to know where their rates are going. Let us make clear that their rates are going towards a record $1.6 billion spend in health services over the next four years, which includes another $237 million of new spending in new services such as expanding existing health service capacity; investing in better mental health; upgrading, maintaining and building more and better health infrastructure; and boosting our front-line resources by employing more nurses, more doctors and more allied health professionals. That is where people’s rates are going. That is where the investment is happening.


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