By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
BARWON Health would lose $642 million over the next 10 years from federal cuts, Premier Daniel Andrews warned yesterday.
But Federal Liberal MP Sarah Henderson hit back, denying any cuts and saying health funding would increase annually over the next four years
Mr Andrews claimed a “new analysis” revealed that Victorian hospitals would lose $13.6 billion because the Abbott Government had walked away from key components of a National Health Reform Agreement.
Reduced federal contributions to Victorian public hospitals would kick in from 1 July 2017, he said.
“The Abbott Government’s cuts comes on top of $1 billion ripped out of health by the previous state Liberal government and means Victorians will wait even longer in emergency departments and on elective surgery waiting lists.”
Ms Henderson accused the Labor State Government of playing political games.
“There are no funding cuts. Rather than making these inflammatory and incorrect claims, Labor should be focused on delivering more jobs to our region,” she said.
“As our budget papers make clear, hospital funding under the Abbott Government across Australia continues to go up.
“In fact, hospital funding goes up nine per cent this year, nine per cent next year, nine per cent the year after that and six per cent in the fourth year.
“Hospitals and their performance are ultimately the responsibility of the states and territories. However, the Abbott Government is committed to working with state and territory governments to deliver a more efficient hospital system.
“These decisions are never easy or popular, but doing nothing is not an option and we are a Government taking action.
“Unsustainable health spending will cause Australians more harm than good in the long run.”
