Malcolm Turnbull is refusing Bill Shorten’s challenge to a Braddon debate on health funding, with the government labelling it a “desperate stunt”.
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“I’ve booked the Devonport Surf Life Saving Club from 6 pm next Monday night and I invite Malcolm Turnbull to join me to debate his cuts to healthcare in this region,” Mr Shorten said.
“There will be a chair there with Malcolm Turnbull’s name on it.
“If he is prepared to cut funding to the North West Regional Hospital and TazReach, then he should show up and stop hiding from the voters in Braddon.
“People in Braddon deserve an explanation from him.
“Why is he cutting local health services, but giving $17 billion to the banks?”
A spokesman for Mr Turnbull said: “The Prime Minister won’t be participating in what is nothing more than a desperate stunt from Mr Shorten.”
“The fact is, there haven’t been any cuts to federal hospital funding, which has increased by 42 per cent since our election ...
“On Monday, our candidate, Mr Whiteley, will be debating Bill Shorten’s candidate about our plan to create a stronger economy and more jobs, compared to Labor’s alternative, which is to raise taxes and weaken our economy.
“We look forward to that.
“Only the government has a plan for a stronger economy to ensure funding for essential services.
“Labor has an angry list of complaints and many billions in new taxes that will strangle our economy and send jobs offshore.”
Mr Shorten said the July 28 Braddon by-election was a choice between Labor’s plan to better fund hospitals and the Liberals’ plan to give more money to the banks.
Mr Shorten is expected to speak at the surf club regardless of whether Mr Turnbull takes part.
VACCINE OFFER
Labor has offered to work with the government to improve access to meningococcal B vaccine in the wake of a Hobart teenager’s death last week from a meningococcal infection.
“Labor has been calling on your government to protect Australian children by making sure they are vaccinated against meningococcal B disease since we first wrote to you in November 2016,” Mr Shorten wrote to Mr Turnbull on Tuesday.
“We have made repeated calls for young Australians to be protected against this devastating disease since that time.
“Almost two years after first raising this with you, we again say to you that ensuring vaccination rates are as high as possible is one of the most important public health priorities for any government and call for you to help Australian parents and families to protect their children from meningococcal B disease.
“Labor remains ready to work with you in a cooperative and supportive way to ensure young Australians have access to this important vaccine.”