Stretched hospitals get $1 billion in ‘landmark’ deal

Public hospitals and health services will receive $1.7 billion in extra funding to help save more lives.

Anthony Albanese revealed this money would increase the federal government’s contribution to public hospitals by 12 per cent, raising its total funding across the states and territories to $33.91 billion in 2026.

This commitment will help reduce emergency room waiting times, manage ambulance ramping and cut waiting lists.

“This matters to people, and this decision today will help save lives and lead to better outcomes for our nation’s hospitals,” the prime minister told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.

Australia’s hospitals have been placed under increasing pressure as the population ages, people become more sick and the consequences from the COVID-19 pandemic continue to ripple through the system.

Without government intervention, the Commonwealth’s share of public hospital funding would only continue to drop.

“The existing arrangements … simply aren’t fit for purpose,” Health Minister Mark Butler said.

“We have a terrific public hospital system in Australia, staffed by some of the best trained doctors, nurses and health professionals anywhere on the planet, but it is a hospital system under very, very serious pressure.

“This is a landmark deal between the states, the territories and the Commonwealth.”

With Australians set to head to the ballot box some time before May, the government has used this announcement to remind voters of Labor’s record on health.

“Our priority is strengthening Medicare, not ensuring that every taxpayer pays for someone to get a free lunch or karaoke night or weekend away at the cost of low and middle income earners,” Mr Albanese said in reference to the opposition’s tax-free lunch policy.

“Labor created Medicare and will protect it.”

The federal government has also tripled the bulk-billing incentive and delivered urgent care clinics across Australia.