The Health Services Union (HSU) has welcomed the federal government's $1.7 billion announcement for public hospitals as an important first step in securing a new long-term funding model.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Health Minister Mark Butler today announced the additional money as part of a one-year deal between the Commonwealth, state and territory governments.
With public hospital funding now decided until 2025/26, a new five-year agreement is set to be negotiated after the next election.
"Our members have fought hard for fairer public hospital funding and this announcement is a big win for those efforts," HSU National President Gerard Hayes said.
"This is a key commitment the HSU was pushing the federal government for, and they've delivered, which builds on Labor's Medicare legacy.
"While this is an important announcement, we'll take a close look at the details to ensure it delivers for health workers.
"A new five-year funding arrangement must be a top priority for the Prime Minister and his state and territory counterparts later this year.
"With an ageing population and the fallout from Covid still fresh, we need governments to step up if we want to maintain our world-class health system.
"That means significant investment in areas like allied health professionals and preventative care roles that have for too long been underfunded.
"State governments must commit to funding foundational supports that sit outside the National Disability Insurance Scheme to ensure it is sustainable and successful."
