SPRINGBORG CLAIMS LABOR’S HEALTH PROGRESS

Media Release

Shadow Health Minister, Jo-Ann Miller, says the Newman Government is again trumpeting improvements in hospital performance without acknowledging they flow directly from a funding agreement struck by the former federal Labor Government but torn up by Tony Abbott.

Mrs Miller said the latest report by the National Health Performance Authority acknowledged the source of improvements yet Mr Springborg was not telling the whole truth to Queenslanders.
“The Minister for Health Cuts and Closures, Lawrence Springborg, is again claiming credit for improved performances in hospital emergency departments but is again failing to be honest by explaining these improvements were in train before the LNP came to government in Queensland,” Mrs Miller said.
“He is again failing to acknowledge the source of the improvements has been the $3.4 billion National Partnership Agreement on Improving Public Hospital Services established by the former federal Labor Government."
“The agreement included National Emergency Access Targets for all states."
“Queensland was allocated a potential $675.7 million between 2009-10 and 2016-17 to meet the NEAT goals over and above regular health grants."
“This included ‘reward’ funding for achieving specific targets to lower wait times for elective surgery and emergency department access."
“That agreement was ripped to shreds in Tony Abbott’s disastrous Federal Budget."
“If Mr Springborg wants to open his mouth he should first of all tell the truth. He should also be saying how much Queensland loses under the agreement torn up by Tony Abbott before its planned expiry date in 2016-17."
“Then he should explain how he is going to replace the funds Tony Abbott has cut from Queensland."
“It should have come as no surprise to the Minister that Tony Abbott slashed this funding because he was simply following the Newman Government’s blueprint for cutting frontline services,” Mrs Miller said.

Funding under the National Partnership

Agreement on Improving Public Hospital Services

	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17	TOTAL
Queensland ($ million)	28.3	205.9	117.3	135.4	146.9	21.0	21.0	—	675.7
All states & territories ($ million)	133.8	1,054.8	587.6	669.0	725.5	100.0	100.0	2.5	3,373.2