Fed: Opposition to hold Rudd to account over health mandate

AAP General News (Australia)
12-22-2009
Fed: Opposition to hold Rudd to account over health mandate

SYDNEY, Dec 22 AAP - Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says he will hold Prime
Minister Kevin Rudd to account for his pledge to seek a mandate for a federal takeover
of public hospitals.

The Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday reported Mr Abbott is planning to press for a
referendum on health funding reform.

After a morning meeting and greeting voters in the newly marginal NSW Blue Mountains
seat of Macquarie, Mr Abbott told reporters a referendum on health had already been flagged
by Mr Rudd.

"I certainly think Mr Rudd should keep his promise," Mr Abbott said.

"Mr Rudd said if public hospitals hadn't been fixed within 18 months he would take
responsibility. The buck would stop with him, and if necessary he would have a referendum
on a federal takeover.

"He has let the Australian people down.

"Many people voted for Mr Rudd precisely because of his promise to fix the public hospitals.

"He has failed, and he can't blame it on the state premiers and he can't blame it on
the former government.

"He has failed and he has to be held to account.

"I think the right thing to do is for the opposition to hold Mr Rudd to account."

In July, just prior to the release of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission
report, Mr Rudd said: "We leave open the option of going to a referendum to seek a mandate
from the people."

In Sydney on Tuesday, he reiterated his government's "long-standing commitment" to
seek a mandate if the states did not agree to his long-term health reform plans.

AAP bc/hn/jl

KEYWORD: REFERENDUM ABBOTT

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