Question Time - Palmerston Hospital

Ms KING (Ballarat) (14:48): My question is to the Minister for Territories, Local Government and Major Projects. Why has the government paid $56 million to the Northern Territory CLP government to dig a hole in Palmerston, part fill it with concrete, hold a media event and then immediately fill the hole again? I will show him, just in case he is not sure what we are actually talking about, with this big hole.

The SPEAKER: The member for Ballarat will not use props.

Honourable members interjecting—

The SPEAKER: I have not called the minister yet. Members will cease interjecting. The minister does not have the call.

Mr Champion interjecting—

The SPEAKER: The member for Wakefield will leave under 94(a). You have been warned. The member will leave straightaway.

The member for Wakefield then left the chamber.

The SPEAKER: The minister has the call.

Mr FLETCHER (Bradfield—Minister for Territories, Local Government and Major Projects) (14:49): I thank the member for the question. The Commonwealth is committed to supporting the construction of the new Palmerston Regional Hospital. The Commonwealth government has committed $110 million, including a promise of $40 million made before the last election. The hospital construction has commenced and I am advised by the Northern Territory government that Palmerston Regional Hospital will be delivered on time and within budget in May 2018.

Honourable members interjecting—

The SPEAKER: The minister will resume his seat. Members on both sides will cease interjecting. The member for Grayndler on a point of order.

Mr Albanese: I rise on a point of order, Mr Speaker. Digging a hole on Friday and filling it in on Monday—

The SPEAKER: The member for Grayndler will resume his seat, and he is warned. The minister has the call.

Mr FLETCHER: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Much has been made by those opposite of the fact that, following a successful pour of the concrete for the central stair core, the slab was covered. I am advised that the reason this occurred was for occupational health and safety.

Opposition members interjecting—

The SPEAKER: Members on my left will cease interjecting.

Mr FLETCHER: May I say that I am surprised that the party which supposedly represents the interests of the workers should be so cavalier about a question of occupational health and safety. You may regard it as a laughing matter. Let me assure you that the Turnbull government does not treat matters of work and safety as a laughing matter.

The SPEAKER: The member for Ballarat on a point of order.

Ms King: Under standing order 201 could I ask that the minister table the document from which he was reading, which he received from the Minister for Health?

The SPEAKER: Was the minister reading from a confidential document?

Government members interjecting—