FED:Roxon won't deny that Rudd stormed out

AAP General News (Australia)
02-13-2011
FED:Roxon won't deny that Rudd stormed out

CANBERRA, Feb 13 AAP - Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon has declined to deny reports
Kevin Rudd stormed out of a cabinet meeting discussing health reforms.

The former prime minister has said he had a flight to catch and left the meeting with
half an hour to spare.

But senior ministers have told News Limited Mr Rudd abruptly left cabinet as Prime
Minister Julia Gillard's health reforms were being discussed.

Asked about this, Ms Roxon declined to say exactly what happened.

"People will have to think what they want about this," she told the Nine Network on Sunday.

Ms Roxon, however, had stern words for the alleged cabinet leakers.

"I am not a believer in people backgrounding and doing that sort of thing," she said.

"Ultimately, we have to be able to have discussions within our cabinet, that's the
way we make sure that we deliver ... for taxpayers."

Ms Roxon also downplayed her absence at a media appearance Ms Gillard called on Friday
to announce the key elements of the government's health reforms.

But she acknowledged the changed political circumstances since 2010, when only Western
Australia declined to sign up.

The coalition assumed office in Victoria in December 2010 and are widely tipped to
win the NSW state election in March.

AAP saj/jfm

KEYWORD: HOSPITALS ROXON

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