TOMAREE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL UPGRADE
Page: 7931
Mr CRAIG BAUMANN: My question is directed to the Minister for Health. Why has she again ignored the health needs of the Tomaree community by failing to provide any funds in this year's budget to upgrade the Tomaree Community Hospital?
Ms REBA MEAGHER: The worst place to be in New South Wales today is on the Opposition side of the House. We witness the ritual performance by the New South Wales Opposition members year after year when they can have nothing to say about the Government's excellent budget. So what do they do? They farm out questions to odd members of the backbench whom we see only once every 12 months. We do not hear from them, they do not represent the needs of the communities and they virtually sleep for 12 months. When a great budget is presented, the leadership of the Coalition does not want to ask stupid questions and get smashed by the Premier. Instead, they take backbench members out of mothballs, dust them down and say to them, "Okay, here's your question. Go on! Go and ask her!" I would not like to be the member for Port Stephens or any member of the Opposition today because a record $840 million for capital works has been provided in this year's budget.
The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Bega to order. The member for Bega will cease interjecting.
Ms REBA MEAGHER: That represents an increase of nearly 18 per cent on last year's allocation.
Mr Andrew Fraser: Point of order: My point of order relates to Standing Order 129. The question was specifically about the Tomaree hospital. The Minister has not addressed the issue but has elucidated. I ask you to draw her back to the leave of the question.
The SPEAKER: Order! I will listen further to the Minister.
Ms REBA MEAGHER: It is very interesting that another member who represents a country electorate takes a point of order. Recently I had the opportunity not only to visit the wonderful Coffs Harbour hospital, which was delivered for the local member by a Labor Government, but also I announced an expansion of maternity services in the member's electorate. He, of all people, should not question the Government's commitment to rural and regional health in this Chamber.
The Government is committed to the people of rural and regional New South Wales. The Government's investment demonstrates that on every occasion. This budget provides $900,000 for redevelopment of the ambulance station at Nelson Bay in the electorate of the member for Port Stephens. The member for Port Stephens has been stood up, dusted off, and told to get out there and say that the Government has shown no commitment to his electorate. Quite simply, he is a little misguided. It is sad that he has been used so callously by the leadership of the Opposition.
The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Willoughby to order for the second time.