A new health funding agreement thrashed out with the federal government will deliver an extra $700m into the state\u2019s public hospitals over the next five years.<\/p>\n
Premier Jeremy Rockliff hailed the hard-fought victory, saying two years of negotiations with the Albanese government had finally delivered a much-improved outcome for Tasmania. <\/p>\n
Speaking after talks wrapped up in Sydney, Mr Rockliff said state hospitals would now be funded at record levels. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis means more funding will flow into Tasmanian hospitals, ensuring our government can continue to build a strong and sustainable health system into the future,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have successfully advocated for a small state adjustment to recognise the diseconomies of scale and unavoidable costs associated with being a smaller state, which was a significant challenge recognised by the federal government.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis agreement provides long-term funding certainty and ensures we can continue investing in frontline services, supporting our health workforce, and delivering better health outcomes for Tasmanians.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday\u2019s agreement is a positive step forward and demonstrates what can be achieved when governments work together in the national interest.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tasmania\u2019s result was part of a $25bn in extra health funding nationwide pledged by Canberra over the next five years.<\/p>\n
At a press conference after the meeting, Mr Albanese said the Commonwealth would provide an additional $25bn for public hospitals to reach a $220bn over the next five years.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis agreement represents one of the most significant national reforms in living memory to ensure access to world-class health care as well as disability support,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt prioritises investment in our precious public health system and builds on my government\u2019s measures to strengthen Medicare.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a major step forward in addressing pressures that are there on health and aged care systems as well as on the NDIS, ensuring their sustainability into the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that we need to provide quality care for Australians with a disability, and the reforms will do that as well as ensuring that they are sustainable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Rockliff said the deal had been a long time coming. <\/p>\n
\u201cEvery single Australian, in my case, every Tasmanian deserves the very best of health care,\u201d Mr Rockliff said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis has been some two-year journey. There\u2019s been some very strong advocacy from all premiers and chief ministers to best represent their communities. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis outcome, as I say again today, is welcome. It\u2019s one that does have significant uplift in funding and one that we can support our respective health systems further going forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
Labor\u2019s Shadow Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing Sarah Lovell welcomed the deal but said there were now no excuses for failing to lift the standards of the Tasmanian health system.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor too long, Jeremy Rockliff\u2019s Liberals have been too focused on pointing the finger and shifting blame for healthcare failings, rather than addressing the issues which continue to hold the system back,\u2019 she said. <\/p>\n
\u201cNow that the Federal Government has finalised the new funding agreement, there are no more excuses left for Jeremy Rockliff to hide behind.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter 12 years of mismanagement, the Premier must finally get to work and start fixing the issues, but no one trusts that he will.\u201d<\/p>\n