Page 883 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 9 April 2014
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Mr Barr: On a point of order, Madam Assistant Speaker, the government is not proposing to cut the health budget in the future.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Sit down, Mr Smyth. I cannot hear Mr Barr.
Mr Barr: The shadow treasurer is misleading the Assembly, Madam Assistant Speaker.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: A substantive motion is required for misleading in which—
Mr Barr: If he does it again, I will move one.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Duly noted. Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker. It is interesting that the reports on this issue appeared in the Canberra Times last year. This is not a matter we went public with. This is a matter on which the individual himself, feeling all avenues were shut to him by the government, by this minister in particular, sought out the support of his local members. Indeed, he went to Mr Gentleman. There he is on the list. He went to Minister Burch. I wonder what representations Mr Gentleman and Ms Burch have made to the minister on this.
Then we have got the situation where, if you do this, the slur is cast that somehow you are just doing a job for a mate. Lots of people come to my office that I have never met before that I make representations for, as do all members. It is that low level of debate that we know the minister slinks to very quickly when he is in trouble. Instead of addressing the issue—
Mr Barr interjecting—
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Barr. Please do not speak across the chamber.
Mr Barr interjecting—
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Mr Barr!
MR SMYTH: The gentleman gave me his data. He is desperate and he said, “Yes, you may use it.” The gentleman gave me the data. I am not making this up. I have not detailed all of the data. I have used a broad figure—costs of more than $1 million—because he told me that. He said I could use it. He specifically gave me the other figures because he wanted them used, because he does not know where to go. He does not know what to do because his government is letting him down. He cannot afford to continue in this way. He cannot afford to build the centre.
So what does he do? Should he take the wisdom of Andrew Barr and say, “That’s it; game up. I should go home”? He does not want to do that. He wants to be a doctor.
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