David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing, Minister McAllister. The ACT health minister, Ms Rachel Stephen-Smith, has said that, even with the recent and very welcome one-off boost to hospital funding, the Commonwealth is chipping in just 35 per cent towards the cost of the ACT's hospitals. This is a full 10 per cent below the 45 per cent Commonwealth contribution promised by 2035, with Canberrans being charged a new levy to make up the difference. Minister, why is it that two levels of Labor government are delivering a smaller Commonwealth contribution than a federal coalition government?

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

Thank you, Senator Pocock, for the question. The Commonwealth has in fact increased its funding to the ACT hospital system by 16 per cent this financial year. It is one of the largest increases in Commonwealth funding to the ACT hospital system. More money for public hospitals will ensure that those hospitals are there to provide the world-leading care that Australians expect and deserve.

In this financial year, the ACT is expected to receive $629 million in Commonwealth funding. That increases the funding it was previously receiving by $85 million, and that includes two additional components: $35 million, which is a one-time funding contribution agreed by National Cabinet for all states and territories; and $50 million, which is the usual yearly growth in funding.

We do look forward to collaborating closely with colleagues in the ACT about delivering the very best health care for ACT residents that we can because we know how important health care is to Australians. Many of us heard Senator Wong speak this afternoon about the importance of health care and Medicare in particular to Australians. We had an extended discussion about this in the election campaign that has just been conducted. I think everyone in this chamber should have heard the very clear message that we received from our voters, our citizens, that they value health care.

So we are determined to work with our colleagues. We are determined to make sure that Australians can access the health care they require. We are very determined to make sure that we continue to build on Australia's incredible public health foundations which have laid a groundwork for a significantly more equal society that would have been the case if those opposite had their way on so many occasions when they sought to pull money out of that system.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Pocock, first supplementary?

David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There were a bunch of numbers in there, so I will maybe just come back with ACT Treasurer Chris Steel's statement that the amount your government is providing ACT hospitals, even with the one-off boost, is 'going backwards'. Minister, can you provide a guarantee today that by 2030 the Commonwealth's contribution to the ACT hospital and health system will specifically sit at your stated 42.5 per cent, or will we continue to be short-changed in the ACT?

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

Senator Pocock, we wouldn't accept the proposition you have put in your question that any jurisdiction is being short-changed. We have worked constructively with colleagues in the states and the territories to make sure that we can get the very best outcomes that we can for Australians in the public hospital system. The National Health Reform Agreement was established in 2011 under a Labor government. It formalises that partnership between Commonwealth government and the states and territories, and it seeks to improve health outcomes for all Australians.

Unfortunately, the former Liberal government neglected the health system. They failed to deliver any reform. We have seen emergency departments under pressure across the country. We have seen elective surgery waiting lists soar. There is a lot of work to do, but we are determined to work collaboratively with our colleagues, as I said in my answer to your primary question, and make sure that all Australians in all states and territories get the health care that they require.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Pocock, second supplementary?

David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, I think blaming the coalition is starting to wear thin with Canberrans; you're in your second term now. ACT ratepayers are now having to cover an additional $80 million for a program to transition NDIS participants and people on the waiting lists for aged care at our hospitals. These are Commonwealth programs. Why is the ACT paying for delays occurring in two Commonwealth programs? We are a small jurisdiction, and Canberrans are having to fund this because the Commonwealth is delaying programs.

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

Thanks again, Senator Pocock. I don't accept your characterisation that the Commonwealth is delaying programs. We expect all Australians to receive the care that they require when they are in a public hospital system, and that is the responsibility of the state or territory government that manages that particular hospital. But we also know, of course, that those interfaces with the aged-care system and the NDIS are really important, and it's why we are investing in a range of programs to help smooth that transition.

We continue to work with states and territories to remove remaining barriers to discharge and ensure the best outcomes for NDIS participants. The average waiting time for an NDIS participant being medically ready for discharge and reported discharge has been reduced to 17 days in January 2025, down from 39 days in December 2022. That is essentially a consequence of the operational changes that we've introduced— (Time expired)