Wed, 14th May 2008

Federal Budget fails Darwin's Defence families

Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion
Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Kevin Rudd has broken a key promise to Darwin’s defence families in tonight’s Budget, said CLP Senator for the Northern Territory, Nigel Scullion.

“Kevin Rudd wooed defence families in the election campaign by personally promising free health care to defence personnel and their dependents”, Senator Scullion said.

“He specifically promised that “a Defence Family Healthcare Clinic” would be provided for Robertson Barracks and that the Clinic “would provide free basic medical and dental care to the spouses and children of Defence force personnel. Overall he promised that 12 clinics would be built around Australia at a cost of $33.1 million, including the Robertson Barracks Clinic”, said Senator Scullion.

“But in tonight’s Budget, Kevin Rudd broke that promise. Darwin Defence families will not be getting a Healthcare Clinic”, he said.

The Budget papers reveal that Labor will now spend only $12 million on defence family health care. But none of the money will be spent in Darwin.

“Darwin defence families who voted for Mr Rudd should feel cheated tonight”, Senator Scullion added.