Media Statement - 3rd August 2007
Health Minister Tony Abbott this morning repeatedly refused to deny his Government’s takeover of the Mersey Hospital was a political stunt designed to help win the next election.
On 2UE radio, Mr Abbott was repeatedly asked if he would say the takeover had nothing to do with the election, now only weeks away.
Four times Mr Abbott refused to answer the question.
PARTIAL TRANSCRIPT FROM 2UE WITH MIKE CARLTON AND PETER FITZSIMONS
MIKE: OK, we’re going to have to go.
Can I just invite you to say one last time that it’s got nothing to do
with the election, yes or no?
ABBOTT: Um…
MIKE: Yes or no.
ABBOTT: With policy…
FITZ: Yes or no.
MIKE: Will you say that this $45 million has got nothing to do with the Federal election? Can you say that?
ABBOTT: What you can’t say is that people, is that governments shouldn’t take notice of what the electorate wants.
MIKE: OK, Tony, repeat after me, come
on. “Funding for this hospital in Tasmania has nothing to do with the
coming Federal election.”
FITZ: Come on.
ABBOTT: But you can’t…
MIKE: OK, I think we’ve got the point.
ABBOTT: On the other hand…
FITZ: We wish you well. Thanks for joining us this morning.
MIKE: I think we’ve got the point, Tony. Thank you so much, right.
The Government’s decision to take over a single Tasmanian hospital seems like a political stunt from a Government lacking long term national solutions on health.