Mr CIOBO (7:55 PM) —I rise to talk about the way in which the Queensland Labor government is perpetuating a lie, perpetuating a mistruth, and, as a consequence, Queensland public hospitals are languishing. The Beattie Labor government spent in excess of $50,000 running full-page advertisements, like the one I am holding, in a national broadsheet claiming that, as a result of the federal government's spending initiative on public hospitals, Queenslanders would be $160 million worse off. But it is a lie—an absolute blatant mistruth. The Beattie Labor government in Queensland is resorting to these kinds of tactics to try to spread fear and misinformation throughout the Queensland community.

What are the actual facts? That is the important question. Despite $50,000 full-page advertisements and despite the Queensland Labor government wasting taxpayers' money on commercial radio advertisements on the Gold Coast and in other parts of Queensland, we find that since April of this year the Queensland Labor government has known about the health offer—the spending on public hospitals that the federal government put on the table in April of this year. Yet, in only the past several weeks—coincidentally—the Beattie Labor government has joined forces with the other state Labor governments to suddenly claim that there is not enough money for public hospitals. In fact, Peter Beattie claims that there is $160 million less for Queensland. It begs the question: how can there be $160 million less when the actual increase in funding from the federal government to the Queensland Labor government is 32 per cent? That is an additional $2.1 billion flowing to the Queensland Labor government from the Howard government for public hospitals, and Peter Beattie lies. Not only does he lie, but the Queensland Premier puts advertisements on the radio—

The SPEAKER —The member for Moncrieff will be aware that the accusation of an individual lying is outside the standing orders. Group accusations are undesirable enough. The member for Moncrieff will modify his language.

Mr CIOBO —Mr Speaker, I withdraw what I said about Peter Beattie lying. It would appear that the Queensland Labor government is spreading misinformation with full intent. It is very clear to me that there cannot be a cut in funding when there is an additional $2.1 billion being made available to the Queensland Labor government. As I said, they have had the opportunity since April to sign up to this agreement, but it has only been in the past several weeks that the Queensland Premier, together with all the other state Labor premiers, has claimed that this money is not enough. The question that needs to be asked is: how much money will the Queensland Labor government spend on public hospitals over the next five years? They will not disclose it. The Queensland Labor government will disclose how much they are prepared to spend in one year, but they will not disclose how much they are prepared to spend over the next five years.

Contrast that situation with the Howard government. We are prepared to put on the table—and we have put on the table—how much money we will spend over the next five years. The fact is that the Queensland government is the first government in the whole of the country to be a principal beneficiary of the introduction of the goods and services tax. All the GST revenue flows to the various state governments. The Queensland government is $137 million better off. In response to this, I would highlight that the Premier has form on this issue. Premier Peter Beattie has previously claimed that Queensland would not be better off under the GST. I quote an article from the Courier Mail of 25 April 2003, which said:

They will have an additional $135 million. The Beattie Labor government know it. They are trying to spread misinformation. They are wasting taxpayers' money by taking out full-page newspaper and radio advertisements. In short, Queensland health care is sick because of the Queensland government's misinformation and the fact they will not sign up to the federal government's offer.

The SPEAKER —Order! It being 8 p.m. the debate is interrupted.

Mr Ross Cameron —Mr Speaker, I require that the debate be extended.

The SPEAKER —The debate may continue until 8.10 p.m.