Page 1510 - Week 05 - Thursday, 7 May 2015
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MR CORBELL: We have put an extra $1 million into improved community mental health services. We have put in an extra $2 million to fund additional staff to support the new cancer centre at the Canberra Hospital. We have allowed for an extra $600,000 for more community nurses to improve care for people in their own homes. We have provided $3.7 million for two new intensive care beds at the Canberra Hospital and an additional one at Calvary public. Over $2.8 million has been provided to fund extra nurses and allied health staff at community health centres in Belconnen and Tuggeranong.
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Order, Mr Hanson!
MR CORBELL: While the federal Liberal government cuts funding to our healthcare system and hospital system, this Labor government is investing in better health care for Canberrans. (Time expired.)
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Hanson.
MR HANSON: Is it true, minister, that the federal government is increasing health funding this year to $15 billion, next year to $16 billion and the following year to $18 billion—at a much higher rate than happened under Rudd and Gillard? And is it true that, according to ABC Fact Check, Treasurer Hockey “is keeping the base and growth funding in place until 30 June 2017, which means if hospitals grow efficiently the commonwealth will still pay for nearly half the costs” of hospital funding? Is that all true?
MADAM SPEAKER: I do not know whether—
Mr Hanson: Is it true?
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Hanson, you have asked your question. Perhaps it is time for you to be a little quiet and hear the answer.
MR CORBELL: What is true is that from 2016-17 there is a massive drop in funding compared to that previously projected under the national healthcare performance agreements. What it means for the ACT is a loss of $700 million that would have otherwise been committed under those agreements to our hospital and healthcare systems.
Mr Hanson: Madam Speaker, a point of order.
MADAM SPEAKER: A point of order. Stop the clock, please.
Mr Hanson: The question was not about whether it is compared to the fanciful figures from Rudd and Gillard that never existed; it was about whether—
MADAM SPEAKER: That is a debating point. What is the point of order?
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