OAKESHOTT INDEPENDENT
MERSEY HOSPITAL - HAS EDMUND BARTON FALLEN OVER ON THE TOWN GREEN?
The Edmund Barton statue may start rolling around the Town Green following the extraordinary decision by the Federal Government to spend $45 million on a State hospital in Tasmania that has three other State hospitals within a sixty-kilometre radius, Independent MP for Port Macquarie, Rob Oakeshott said today.
"I am going to have to check down on the Town Green whether the expression on the face of Edmund Barton has changed to one of shock. This is completely outside Barton's intent when he helped write our nation's Constitution, Mr Oakeshott said.
"However, whether through the use of the Corporations Power, the External Affairs power, or any other means available to the Commonwealth, what we are now seeing is a full frontal attack by an increasingly centralist Commonwealth on the role of service delivery by the States. For anyone who follows politics, this is extraordinary when put into context that it is the Liberal and National Parties who have traditionally been the great defenders of State's rights, said Mr Oakeshott.
"The good news is that we can now expect Mr Vaile, the local Federal MP, to spend some money on Port Macquarie Base Hospital. We desperately need $20 million for a fourth wing at the hospital. If the basis for intervention is problem-based, then this fourth wing is a problem that remains outstanding and federal money would help enormously, Mr Oakeshott said.
"I look forward to him delivering to his local community on this important hospital matter, said Mr Oakeshott.
2 August 2007