The Prime Minister said his first National Cabinet was 'successful' and conducted in 'very good spirit' as the Commonwealth agreed to extend the 50:50 coronavirus hospital funding.
Mr Albanese announced an extension to the 50:50 COVID-19 health funding amid the pressure on the public system with the pandemic. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman
New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet described the first meeting of the leaders as a"great start" while welcoming the funding extension which was put in the"too hard basket for too long". "We've got a Prime Minister who listens and understands that health is a big issue and it is a national issue that is of everybody across our nation.
The Commonwealth committed to urgently work through the backlog of visa applications by reducing processing times.Mr Albanese flagged he was working on the issue of more migration of skilled workers coming into Australia."So we're working on issues with the Department appropriately and I've discussed with the Minister for home affairs as well as the Minister for Women as well as Brendan O'Connor who has the response and skills and trainings on how we deal with these issues.