$760m extra for hospitals while health system fixes are found | katinacurtis
The states will keep pandemic-era funding levels for their hospitals for an extra three months, costing the Commonwealth another $760 million, while they look at ways to improve the overall health system.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the new arrangement was not just about more money but looking more broadly at pressures on the system. “The decision that we made today to extend the funding is a recognition that there are currently around about 3000 people in hospital as a result of COVID. It is still having an impact,” he said.Premiers were delighted with the COVID-19 funding extension and also that national cabinet, with a new prime minister at the helm, spent most of its time discussing health issues.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it was “a refreshing change to be able to discuss health” and have a prime minister who listened, while Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said there was a lot of goodwill in the meeting.