By JONATHON HOWARD
FEDERAL Health Minister Tanya Plibersek has slammed comments made by Member for Southern Downs and Queensland Health Minister Lawrence Springborg relating to federal health funding cuts.
Mr Springborg claimed in last week’s Free Times that the Federal Government would move from a fixed carbon price to favour an emissions trading scheme from next year and would offset the scheme by carrying out further cuts to Queensland Health.
Mr Springborg slammed both former Prime Minister Julia Gillard and re-appointed Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, for what he said was a “mistreatment of Queensland Health”.
Ms Plibersek said Mr Springborg “grossly misrepresented” the details given by Ministers and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, instead blaming the Queensland Government for the cuts.
“The only government making cuts to health is the Newman Government,” Ms Plibersek said.
“The Queensland Government has cut $3 billion from its health system and sacked over 4140 health workers.
“In contrast, the Federal Government has invested $488 million to improve Queensland public hospital performances in elective surgery and emergency department waiting times.”
Ms Plibersek called on Mr Springborg to publicly apologise for the claim.
