- Published:
- Sunday 18 February 2018
Barwon Health and local patients will be millions of dollars worse off under a plan by Malcolm Turnbull to slash health funding.
Once again, Victorians are being dudded by Malcolm Turnbull, with new analysis confirming plans to short-change Barwon Health to the tune of $99.6 million as part of a new health funding agenda.
Under the Turnbull Government’s National Health Reform Agreement 2020/21 to 2024/25, the Liberals are still refusing to pay their fair share, capping their contribution at 6.5 per cent growth – which will not meet demand in our hospitals – and refusing to increase the Commonwealth contribution rate to 50 per cent.
The agreement they have put on the table would mean $2.1 billion less for Victorian hospitals over the five years, which for Barwon Health would mean:
- 334 fewer doctors
- 796 fewer nurses
- 16, 047 fewer elective surgeries
This will hit our hospitals hard, and will leave the people of Geelong waiting longer for vital healthcare.
Across the Barwon South West region, cuts of $153.2 million would mean 514 fewer doctors, 1,226 fewer nurses or 24,685 fewer elective surgeries.
This is on top of the $104 million that Victoria is already owed by the Federal Liberal Government – which Malcolm Turnbull still refuses to pay – despite independent advice confirming Victoria is entitled to the funding.
This $104 million cut is equal to 100,000 chemotherapy treatments or 650 nurses.
As the fastest growing state in the country, Victoria deserves its fair share. This is yet another example that Malcolm Turnbull and his Government cannot be trusted on health funding.
And to make matters worse, Matthew Guy refuses to stand up against his mate Malcolm Turnbull's cuts to Victorian hospitals.
You can’t trust the Liberals when it comes to healthcare – all they do is cut.
Quote attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy
“Our new analysis show that every single hospital across our state stands to miss out – and it’s Victorians who will bear the brunt of these cuts.”
Quote attributable to Member for Geelong Christine Couzens
“The Liberals cannot be trusted on health funding – they have already ripped billions from our hospitals, now they’re refusing to pay for services already delivered, and are looking for yet another way to take dollars from Victorians.”
Quote attributable to Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville
“The people of Geelong deserve better – they need proper funding for hospitals as the population of Geelong grows into the future.”
Quote attributable to Member for Lara John Eren
“You can’t trust the Liberals when it comes to healthcare – all they do is cut. We will not stand by while vital funds are taken away from the services and care every family depends on.”