Queensland hospitals better off under Labor

Queensland hospitals would receive vital funding under a Shorten Labor Government with a commitment to invest an extra $2.8 billion in Australia’s public hospitals, fully reversing the Turnbull Government’s funding cuts.

Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles welcomed the announcement saying the Turnbull Government had neglected public healthcare for far too long.

“A federal Labor Government will make sure  doctors, nurses and other hospital staff have the resources they need to deliver the best care possible to Queenslanders,” Mr Miles said.

“Queensland has had to fight for every cent of our fair share of hospital funding with the Turnbull Government withholding payment for procedures already delivered as far back as 2014.

“The Palaszczuk Government is working hard to secure this backpay. But our hospitals need certainty around funding for the future.

“Malcolm Turnbull cut millions under his policy for 2017-2020 and is now seeking to lock in these cuts for another five years. 

“Federal Labor will fully reverse the Government’s cut by investing an extra $2.8 billion from 2019 to 2025. 

“This record investment will reduce emergency department and elective surgery waiting times in Queensland.”

Hospital funding in Australia

The last Labor Government signed a historic National Health Reform Agreement with the states and territories in 2011. Under the Agreement, the Commonwealth committed to fund an equal share of efficient growth in hospital costs – ending the blame game and giving public hospitals long-term budget certainty.

Ahead of the 2013 election, the Liberals promised “no cuts to hospitals” and that they would “support the transition to the Commonwealth providing 50 per cent growth funding”.

But in the horror 2014 Budget the Abbott Government tore up this Agreement and cut billions from hospitals. 

Malcolm Turnbull has continued this assault, cutting millions under his policy for 2017-2020 and now seeking to lock in these cuts for another five years. Between the next election and 2025, Turnbull wants to cut $2.8 billion from Australia’s public hospitals.

Contact: Katharine Wright 0428 957 903