The Coalition supports the additional $1.7 billion in funding for the public hospital system announced by the Albanese Government today, because we know that Labor’s primary care crisis is putting unprecedented pressure on our hospitals.
That is why it is so disappointing that the Albanese Labor Government has failed to negotiate a new 5-year National Health Reform Agreement, while also creating a possible multi-billion-dollar black hole in the process.
This is another Labor broken promise and an indictment on the Prime Minister’s leadership.
In 2023, Prime Minister Albanese promised Australians he would secure “a 10-year glide path from 1 July 2025” through National Cabinet for hospital funding.
Instead, the Prime Minister has today announced a once-off, one-year funding band aid before the election to hide another example of his weak leadership.
The Prime Minister must be called out for his inability to secure a new long-term National Health Reform Agreement with the states, and for breaking his promise to all Australians.
Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator Anne Ruston said that funding certainty should have been delivered through a new 5-year Agreement, as has been the case since 2011.
“The Coalition is seriously concerned by the uncertainty the Prime Minister has created for hospital funding going forward and the Prime Minister’s lack of negotiating skills,” Shadow Minister Ruston said.
“This puts the Prime Minister in stark contrast to the former Coalition Government, who provided certainty and increased hospital funding by 86%.
“It once again demonstrates the Prime Minister’s weakness. If this Prime Minister cannot even negotiate with his own Labor mates, how can he lead the country?
“It’s a cruel hoax because Australia’s hospitals are in crisis, and people are being forced to languish in uncertainty because of this government.
“Under Labor, it has never been harder or more expensive to see a doctor, which forced more than 1.5 million Australians in 2023-24 to avoid seeing their GP because they just could not afford it.
“This is only putting further pressure on hospitals, at a time when they need this government’s support.”
ENDS