Win for Queensland as Commonwealth finally clears funding backlog

The Commonwealth Government has finally agreed to pay Queensland hospitals for services they delivered as far back as 2014.

Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services Steven Miles confirmed the Commonwealth had bowed to state pressure and finally agreed to pay Queensland hospitals for services they delivered in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 financial years.

“This is a big win for Queensland’s hospitals,” Mr Miles said.

“I made this a top priority since becoming Minister and the Premier took this to COAG because Queensland hospitals deserve to be paid for the work they do – and Canberra was refusing to pay what they were owed. 

“I heard firsthand from our hardworking doctors and nurses everywhere I visited how the unpaid bills were affecting Queensland’s hospitals. 

“The Turnbull governments agreement to finally pay for procedures performed in 2015/16 will come as a great relief to Queensland’s hospitals. 

“The funds owed to Queensland’s hospitals for 2016/17 remain outstanding and if Malcolm Turnbull was serious about negotiating a new hospital agreement he would ensure those payments were made.”

Mr Miles said the admission from the federal government would leave some LNP politicians embarrassed with their recent comments.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt denied the outstanding debts saying, “the Queensland Health Minister is simply making up numbers. There is no missing money. He’s embarrassing himself.”

Mr Miles said state LNP members including Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington and Health spokesperson Ros Bates chose to parrot those statements instead of standing up for Queensland hospitals.

“Deb Frecklington chose her political masters in Canberra over Queensland’s hospitals, she denied Queensland was owed funds, and now that the federal government have admitted to the shortfall she looks pretty silly.

“Of course it’s not too late, she could help us secure the remaining funds. 

Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison wrote to Queensland Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad and Minister Miles last night confirming it would pay $309.2 million of the estimated $1.1 billion owed. 

Mr Miles said he had asked the Department of Health to undertake an urgent analysis of the figures but an initial assessment was positive.

“This is only a start – but it’s a good start,” Mr Miles said.

"We're yet to hear whether the Commonwealth will pay what they owe under the heath agreement for 2016-17 and for this financial year.""We're yet to hear whether the Commonwealth will pay what they owe under the heath agreement for 2016-17 and for this financial year."

“The Federal Government has admitted that what we’ve been saying all along is right.

“Hopefully our hospitals won’t have to wait so long for payment from Canberra in the future.”

ENDS

Media contact: Katharine Wright 0422 580 342