Media Statement - 4th August 2007
Treasurer Peter Costello provided confirmation yesterday that the Howard Government's plan to take over the Mersey Hospital is a political fix designed to save the marginal seat of Braddon – not a serious solution to the problems facing Australia's public hospitals.
When asked yesterday, Mr Costello confirmed that, like the Howard Government's hastily cobbled together water plan, the Treasury had no involvement with the Mersey takeover bid:
JOURNALIST: What was Treasury’s involvement in the decision? Did they made a submission to Cabinet?
TREASURER: No, this is a decision that has been made by the Government. The Government makes these decisions.
Further evidence emerged yesterday that the Government's plan to take over Mersey Hospital is fast unravelling with reports of a senior specialist at the hospital resigning in protest this week at the Howard Government's plans.
It’s no wonder given that the medical profession, including the Australian Medical Association in Tasmania, are raising concerns about the quality of care that can be provided across two hospitals as a result of Mr Howard’s intervention.
Mr Howard’s plan, according to medical experts, runs the risk of not being able to deliver the high quality care that all Australians need.
John Howard, Peter Costello and Tony Abbott don't really care about public hospitals, but they'll say anything and do anything to get re-elected.