p align=”justify”>The Victorian State budget, handed down yesterday, puts the spotlight on the Abbott Government’s plan to cut health funding and put sick Australians at risk.
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The Victorian State budget, handed down yesterday, puts the spotlight on the Abbott Government’s plan to cut health funding and put sick Australians at risk.
Tony Abbott promised no cuts to health funding, yet the Victorian State budget sends a clear message about how twisted his priorities are.
The Victorian Government wants Tony Abbott to continue delivering on the National Partnership Agreement (NPA) on Improving Public Hospitals. The Victorian State budget states:
These agreements were developed on the understanding that ongoing Commonwealth financial support would be required where service delivery standards were permanently increased. The Commonwealth Government has not currently committed to the continued funding of these agreements, or has indicated that funding will continue only until an agreed date. Victoria will continue to meet its agreed funding requirements, but will not meet any funding gap left by Commonwealth funding agreements that do not continue.
(Victorian Budget Paper 3, 2014)
The Victorian State Budget goes on to highlight the uncertainty of the NPA on Improving Public Hospitals:
The Commonwealth has not yet indicated this will be renewed, resulting in lapsing Commonwealth funding from 1 July 2014.
(Victorian Budget Paper 3, 2014)
The Abbott Government’s priorities are completely twisted. They are proposing the end of universal healthcare as we know it, while at the same time refusing to give funding certainty to Victoria’s public hospitals.
The Abbott Government must come clean with Victorians about its plan to take funding from Victorian hospitals and introduce a new GP tax, a hospital tax and more expensive medicines.
They have already cut $560 million from public hospitals across Australia, including $277 million from Victorian Hospitals alone.
Tony Abbott promised no cuts to health prior to the election. He has broken his promise. And now funding for Victorian hospitals in under threat.
Labor believes that all Australians should get the healthcare they need, not just the healthcare they can afford. Australians shouldn’t have to foot the bill for Tony Abbott’s broken promises and twisted priorities.