NSW: Abbott says Labor plan is a case "of fools rushing in" =2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-23-2007
NSW: Abbott says Labor plan is a case "of fools rushing in" =2

Mr Abbott said Mr Rudd had lambasted the government for taking over funding of Tasmania's
Mersey Hospital with a $45 million agreement that enabled the hospital to retain its frontline
services.

"Last week Mr Rudd said that taking over just one public hospital was an absolutely
rotten way to run a federation," he said.

"Now he wants to take over 750 hospitals which I think shows that he just doesn't really
know what he's talking about."

Under Labor's plan, a National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission would be established
by early next year, with $2 billion to invest in the health system over four years.

States and territories would be asked to sign up to achieve better health outcomes
and if they meet their targets would receive financial bonuses.

If they do not agree by mid-2009 they would lose financial control of their public
hospitals following a referendum to gauge public opinion.

Mr Abbott said the proposed reform commission was a move to dodge responsibility for
offering voters a pre-election solution to Australia's public health care problems.

"He's saying 'elect me then I'll establish a commission that will make recommendations
then I'll decide what I'm really going to to do'," Mr Abbott said.

"It's a trust-me policy and I don't think the public will be inclined to trust Mr Rudd on this."

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KEYWORD: HEALTH LABOR ABBOTT 2 SYDNEY

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