“This is such irony. Leading up to the last election Kevin Rudd trumpeted his plan to take over hospitals by June 2009 and what did we get? Nothing. Waiting times have increased, health professionals are as stretched as ever and nothing has been done to encourage doctors to move to regional areas.

“Now we are gearing up for another election and Kevin Rudd has made another announcement to the Australian people. I won’t hold my breath for action this time around,” said Mr Baldwin.

The Coalition is also concerned the plan will add yet another bureaucracy to the struggling health system. It gives little detail on the changes to funding which come 10 months after Prime Minister’s own June 2009 deadline. It also breaks Kevin Rudd’s election promise to fund 100 per cent of hospital costs.

“The best part of this policy would give more say to communities through Local Hospital Networks however this appears to be a rebranding of the Coalition’s plan for local hospital boards, which was actually criticised by Labor at the time it was first put forward,” said Mr Baldwin.

“I intend to hold the Rudd Labor Government to account on this plan, which is simply the latest in a very long line of promises.”