A new national cabinet gears up for a battle over healthcare funding as state and territory leaders push for a larger share of healthcare funding.
Prime Ministers and Prime Ministers have called for a 50-50 financing deal ahead of Friday’s first meeting in Canberra.
But Anthony Albanese tried to assuage expectations that he could extend the deal beyond September, citing budget constraints.
“We inherit a trillion dollars in debt; I will have constructive discussions with the prime ministers and prime ministers,” the prime minister told Nine.
Camera icon Anthony Albanese will chair his national cabinet meeting on Friday. NCA NewsWire/Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia
“People want to know they can get the care they need when they need it, and we’re all committed to making that happen.”
Mr. Albanese hosted a dinner for leaders at The Lodge on Thursday evening, where health, skilled migration, and the energy crisis were examined.
Queensland Prime Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk spoke to reporters before the meeting and said state and territory leaders were in trouble.
Camera Icon Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it was ‘wonderful’ that leaders were allowed to discuss health again. NCA NewsWire/Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia
“We are absolutely united. Health should be at the center of today’s discussion,” she said Friday.
“It’s great that health is finally on the agenda. When Scott Morrison was Prime Minister, we wanted to talk about health but couldn’t.”
NSW Prime Minister Dominic Perrottet said the states could close the financing deal.
“Certainly, there was a good mood in the room last night, and health is a problem. That is a national problem. It also affects all states, of course,” he said.
“So we’ve had some very good conversations, and I think they’ll continue today, but I’m confident we’ll get a good result.”
Camera icon leaders say they are united in their pursuit. NCA NewsWire/Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia
Healthcare funding has historically been evenly split between the states and the Commonwealth until Tony Abbott cut the federal share to 40 percent.
It was later raised to 45 percent by Malcolm Turnbull and eventually increased to its current 50-50 share during the pandemic. That deal expires in September.
Victorian Prime Minister Daniel Andrews hoped a deal would be struck on Friday.
“We had a very productive discussion at The Lodge last night about extending funding, and I hope we can come to that agreement today,” he told reporters outside Parliament House.
“It’s not the time for the Commonwealth government to do less…because, from a health or hospital standpoint, Covid isn’t over yet.”