Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Whiteaker, for that question, because last week's agreement really matters. It means $25 billion in additional funding for our public hospital systems. It means that the Albanese Labor government will deliver three times more additional funding for public hospitals than under the last five-year agreement, supporting the doctors and the nurses who are the backbone of our public health system. It means that, under this deal delivered by the Prime Minister, Commonwealth funding for state-run hospitals will reach a record $219.6 billion in the period to 2031.

While those opposite have been entirely focused on themselves, meeting in shuttered rooms and trying to work out a way to depose their first female leader, our government—the Albanese government—has been focused on delivering better health services for Australians. That should be good news for every Australian because it means people get the quality public health care that they need. It also means that our government can take the next steps to secure the future of the NDIS. Our government will work with the states and territories to target annual cost increases of five to six per cent so that this life-changing scheme is here for the long term, with $2 billion matched by the states and territories to deliver the first phase of foundational supports: Thriving Kids.

I want to pay tribute to the work done by Minister Butler and Professor Oberklaid to establish that national model for Thriving Kids. I want to assure the mums and dads—and the broader disability community—that we have listened to them. We will make sure that states and territories have enough time to roll this out. The rollout will now commence from 1 October 2026, with full implementation by 1 January 2028.