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The Hon. MELINDA PAVEY: My question without notice is directed to the Minister for Health. What are the reasons behind the delay in completion of the rural medical school at Port Macquarie, given that Coffs Harbour's medical school opened earlier this year? Will the Minister update the House on the status of the land issue at Port Macquarie Hospital that is delaying the construction of the rural medical school by the University of New South Wales?
The Hon. JOHN HATZISTERGOS: The funding of rural medical schools is a matter for the Commonwealth.
The Hon. Melinda Pavey: Exactly.
The Hon. JOHN HATZISTERGOS: What was that?
The Hon. Melinda Pavey: I agree with you.
The Hon. JOHN HATZISTERGOS: That is an issue for the Commonwealth.
The Hon. Melinda Pavey: The Federal Government is doing that, yes.
The Hon. JOHN HATZISTERGOS: That is right.
The Hon. Melinda Pavey: What about the land?
The Hon. JOHN HATZISTERGOS: What about the land? I do not understand the question.
The Hon. Melinda Pavey: You don't know?
The Hon. JOHN HATZISTERGOS: I know about the land, but the land is the subject of a commercial decision that I understand has been made. The issue of construction, which is what you are talking about—that is what your question was about—is a matter for the Commonwealth and the University of New South Wales.