Fed: Fielding criticises Roxon for not attending briefing

AAP General News (Australia)
04-28-2010
Fed: Fielding criticises Roxon for not attending briefing

EDS: Includes Roxon response



MELBOURNE, April 28 AAP - Family First senator Steve Fielding has taken a swipe at
Health Minister Nicola Roxon for not attending a briefing with him on the federal government's
health reform package.

Senator Fielding met with staff from Ms Roxon's office on Wednesday to discuss the reforms.

He said he was "extremely disappointed" the health minister "didn't have the decency
to attend this briefing".

"Really, when you think about it this is health reform and the Senate of Australia,
and the crossbenchers really deserve to have the health minister come and brief other
members of parliament," he told reporters in Melbourne.

Ms Roxon said she had regularly met with Senator Fielding.

"I have personally briefed Senator Fielding on various issues since our election to
government," she said in a statement.

"Today, Senator Fielding met with my senior adviser as well as senior public servants
from the Treasury and Health Departments."

Senator Fielding would not say if he would support the government's reforms in the Senate.

"I think, overall, what the government has put forward is good health reform, but I
think we can do a lot better," he said.

"What we are going to do is work, over the next couple of weeks, with experts to see
if we can get even ... better health reform for Australia and for the general public."

AAP md/gfr/jl/pmu/ash

KEYWORD: HOSPITALS FIELDING WRAP

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