QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator DAVID POCOCK (Australian Capital Territory—Independent ACT Whip) (14:33): My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing, Minister McAllister. The ACT health minister, Ms Rachel Stephen-Smith, has said that, even with the recent and very welcome one-off boost to hospital funding, the Commonwealth is chipping in just 35 per cent towards the cost of the ACT's hospitals.

This is a full 10 per cent below the 45 per cent Commonwealth contribution promised by 2035, with Canberrans being charged a new levy to make up the difference. Minister, why is it that two levels of Labor government are delivering a smaller Commonwealth contribution than a federal coalition government?