Page 1509 - Week 05 - Thursday, 7 May 2015
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A $700 million cut in expected payments to our health and hospital services simply cannot be sustained by the ACT government. It leaves all states and territories in a very difficult position. We had hoped that the commonwealth would sit down and speak with the states and territories to discuss a better way forward. Whilst that took some time—
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Order, Mr Hanson!
MR CORBELL: I am very pleased to now say that the Prime Minister has agreed to meet with chief ministers and premiers to discuss these matters further.
We as a government have undertaken some analysis of the impact of this massive funding cut on the ACT budget. Using relatively conservative estimates for growth in activity each year for the next decade and a moderate increase in the national efficient price, we know that the cost is $700 million over the next decade in support of public hospital services, following the commonwealth’s decision to cease funding guarantees and then to move to population-based payments. That, of course, is funding the nurses, doctors and allied health staff who are providing health services that our community needs. We will continue to argue for improvements in the commonwealth’s position because they need—
MADAM SPEAKER: The member’s time has expired.
MR CORBELL: to keep their hands off our hospitals and improve funding for our health services.
MADAM SPEAKER: Your time has expired, Mr Corbell. A supplementary question, Dr Bourke.
DR BOURKE: Minister, can you tell this Assembly what the government is doing to maintain service provision for ACT residents in the light of these cuts?
MR CORBELL: I thank Dr Bourke for his supplementary. While the commonwealth is ripping out $700 million over the next decade from health and hospital services, we are investing in the health infrastructure and services our community needs. For example, in the most recent budget we have provided funding to create an extra 31 general inpatient beds to meet growing demand in our hospital services, at a cost of over $10 million. We have employed two new emergency positions to improve waiting times for care. We have put in $8 million to increase access to elective surgery and improve waiting times further. Waiting times are now the lowest they have been since 2005-06, and they continue to improve.
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Order, Mr Hanson!
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