LABOR’S DENTAL FUNDING GAP – AFFECTS LOCAL CONSTITUENTS
The Member for Berowra, Philip Ruddock MP said today that the Federal government has again refused to honour a pre-election promise to spend $800 million on improving dental services while confusion reigns over the true cost of the Teen Dental Health program.
"ALP policy documents released in the lead up to last November's election were very clear that $800 million would be spent over three years, with $510 million allocated for the Teen Dental Health program,’’ Mr Ruddock said.
"Labor is all over the place with regard to funding this program and this will affect local constituents and the Government should come up with an explanation to their inconsistency in funding.
``It is one thing to be revising the figures up and down, but Labor made an election promise to spend $800 million on dental services.
``Labor promised $800 million for improving dental services and that is exactly what they need to deliver. Anything less is a gross deception of local families but it appears the Government is content with that,'' Philip Ruddock said.