Fiona O'Malley (Progressive Democrats)

I wish to briefly address the issue of remaining within budget. Senator Buttimer asked how we can have a plan if it then has to be abandoned. It is precisely because one must remain within a budget that one can have a plan because what is the point in having a health service that does not keep to a budget? How can sustainability be maintained if the fundamental of a budget is not honoured? If we constantly reward waste, we will not be able to provide a budget. We need to recognise that the amount of money available is limited.