Page 1881 - Week 06 - Thursday, 5 May 2005
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In 2000-01, our two major hospitals recorded around 63,000 inpatient separations, compared with more than 70,000 in 2003-04. Over the same period—
that is, 2001-02—
outpatient occasions of service grew from 361,000 to 427,000.
That is in the 2004-05 year. This claim is simply not borne out by the government’s own figures. Somebody should have read the budget papers. The budget papers show that, for the 2004-05 year, there were only 59,330 cost-weighted inpatient separations, not the 70,000 claimed, and there were 210,320 outpatient services, not the 427,000 claimed. Again, one could say that it is just sloppiness, but one would wonder why they would print these numbers. For the upcoming year, however, the budget expects 61,285 inpatient separations and 219,310 outpatient separations. Both of these claimed outcomes are fewer than the government’s claimed figure for 2000-01.
The second myth is the phenomenon of health costs growing suddenly at seven per cent a year and that somehow it is a new thing. It is not. Again, the government’s own budget papers show that, in the 2003-04 budget, health costs increased by six per cent. In the 2004-05 budget health costs increased by nine per cent—and we all know we have not met demand—yet in this year’s budget, health costs increase by only six per cent. It is quite evident that health costs have been and are growing at predictable and well-understood rates and we must not be taken in by this government’s bleating about the impact of unexpected increases in health costs.
Mr Speaker, the way in which we, as a community, deal with those amongst us who suffer from mental health issues is a key indicator of our compassion and our priorities. So, where are we as a community, as a result of this budget, in responding to the needs of people with mental health issues? The answer appears to be that this government is long on words, long on rhetoric, but short on action.
According to the analysis of the patient activity in mental health services in this budget, the target for admitted patient separations is 1,300 in 2005-06. Unfortunately, this target represents a reduction of 120 separations, or more than eight per cent, on the level achieved in 2004-05. Even worse, services to children and young people are set to be cut by a mammoth 15 per cent. So much for a compassionate and caring Labor government! You have to ask where this government’s priorities really are and how this government establishes priorities in key areas of public policy.
It is important to give credit where credit is due. This budget does provide additional funding to the early years of education, those oh-so-critical early years. I hope, however, that our very young children, when they emerge from their primary schools, will be able to read, write and count.
What about at the other end of the learning spectrum, the equally important areas of vocational education and training? This is where there are well-established issues about the availability of people who are trained in a range of key trade skills—areas in which there are already shortages of people with appropriate skills. How has this government reacted to these needs? The Stanhope Labor government, according to budget paper 2,
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