QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Mr WILKIE (Clark) (14:45): My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. Australia's hospital system is in crisis. State budgets aren't big enough to properly fund public hospitals, and health insurance isn't working for the private sector.

People are suffering needlessly and, far too often, dying prematurely. Only the Commonwealth has the financial and policy heft to turn things around. When will the federal government finally act to fix things?

Let's face it; just negotiating another funding agreement is hardly bold reform.