❓ The Premier outlines efforts to prioritize health care funding at the upcoming COAG meeting, criticizing the Commonwealth's funding offer as inadequate and calling for bipartisan support to pressure the Commonwealth for increased funding and health sector reform.
AnsweredQoN 940Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Can the Premier outline what efforts have been made to place the issue of health care firmly on the agenda for the upcoming meeting of the Council of Australian Governments? Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member very much for that question. We all know that the most senior forum in Australian government is the Council of Australian Governments, in which each of the States, the Territories and the Commonwealth are represented. We also know that in every community throughout Australia today the most important issue is the health system, the way it operates and the relationship between the commonwealth and state parts of that system. The health system is under pressure. Firstly, the population is ageing and there is a shortage of nursing home beds. Secondly, the rate of bulk billing is declining throughout Australia. Thirdly, and very importantly, health costs are expanding rapidly. Health costs are rising throughout the nation at a rate greater than the consumer price index. The State Government recognises these issues and, since its election, has increased funding for health by 29 per cent, or 23 per cent in real terms. We have added $427 million to the health budget since coming to government while maintaining surpluses on the operating account. We are currently negotiating a new five-year health agreement with the Commonwealth. In February this year, the state and territory health ministers presented the commonwealth health minister, Senator Patterson, with an assessment of the commonwealth funding required under the new agreements. As a result of all the factors mentioned earlier, our assessment was that an additional $13 billion would be required over the next five years beyond the funding available under the current agreement between the States and the Commonwealth. As well as making the request for additional funding, the health ministers reiterated their commitment to health sector reform. However, we received an offer from the Commonwealth that would reduce funding by $1 billion over the next five years, compared with the funding we would have received had the previous agreement remained in force. That represents a $110 million shortfall for the people of Western Australia. This is a totally inadequate offer from the Commonwealth and every State and Territory Government is pressing this point to the Commonwealth. We are saying two things: first, we want the Commonwealth’s offer improved and we want to discuss how to do that with the Commonwealth; and secondly, we want the issue of health sector reform and funding on the agenda of the Council of Australian Governments meeting. The Prime Minister and his health minister have said that the Labor States are “playing politics.” I refer to today’s The Australian Financial Review and an article by Tony Harris who was a former New South Wales Auditor-General. In his analysis of the Commonwealth’s offer to the States, he makes it quite clear that it is “unsatisfactory” on the basis of all the pressures that are currently operating in the health system. I also refer to the communique released today by the Australian Health Care Summit 2003, which comprises doctors, practitioners, academics and people who are concerned about the future of health. It reads - . . . we call on all governments: . . . as a matter of urgency, to put - the health reform agenda at the forthcoming Council of Australian Governments meeting. It is not just the Labor States and Territories that want health reform on the agenda - it is also wanted by a range of people who know about health and how it should be funded, and who work within the health system on a daily basis. Along with the other territory leaders and state Premiers, I have signed a letter to the Prime Minister calling on him to put this issue on the agenda and to properly engage on health funding. We have to put pressure on the Commonwealth. It is out of touch on this issue and we have to bring it back to reality. How do we do that? We want every member of this Parliament to work with the Government of Western Australia to put pressure on the Commonwealth. Is the Opposition putting the interests of Western Australia first? No. Once again the Opposition puts the interests of its Liberal friends in Canberra first. That is not good enough. It is about time everyone in this Parliament stood up for Western Australia and we will continue to do that. I table the letter to the Prime Minister on this matter. [See paper No 1422.]
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I thank the member very much for that question. We all know that the most senior forum in Australian government is the Council of Australian Governments, in which each of the States, the Territories and the Commonwealth are represented. We also know that in every community throughout Australia today the most important issue is the health system, the way it operates and the relationship between the commonwealth and state parts of that system. The health system is under pressure. Firstly, the population is ageing and there is a shortage of nursing home beds. Secondly, the rate of bulk billing is declining throughout Australia. Thirdly, and very importantly, health costs are expanding rapidly. Health costs are rising throughout the nation at a rate greater than the consumer price index. The State Government recognises these issues and, since its election, has increased funding for health by 29 per cent, or 23 per cent in real terms. We have added $427 million to the health budget since coming to government while maintaining surpluses on the operating account. We are currently negotiating a new five-year health agreement with the Commonwealth. In February this year, the state and territory health ministers presented the commonwealth health minister, Senator Patterson, with an assessment of the commonwealth funding required under the new agreements. As a result of all the factors mentioned earlier, our assessment was that an additional $13 billion would be required over the next five years beyond the funding available under the current agreement between the States and the Commonwealth. As well as making the request for additional funding, the health ministers reiterated their commitment to health sector reform. However, we received an offer from the Commonwealth that would reduce funding by $1 billion over the next five years, compared with the funding we would have received had the previous agreement remained in force. That represents a $110 million shortfall for the people of Western Australia. This is a totally inadequate offer from the Commonwealth and every State and Territory Government is pressing this point to the Commonwealth. We are saying two things: first, we want the Commonwealth’s offer improved and we want to discuss how to do that with the Commonwealth; and secondly, we want the issue of health sector reform and funding on the agenda of the Council of Australian Governments meeting. The Prime Minister and his health minister have said that the Labor States are “playing politics.” I refer to today’s The Australian Financial Review and an article by Tony Harris who was a former New South Wales Auditor-General. In his analysis of the Commonwealth’s offer to the States, he makes it quite clear that it is “unsatisfactory” on the basis of all the pressures that are currently operating in the health system. I also refer to the communique released today by the Australian Health Care Summit 2003, which comprises doctors, practitioners, academics and people who are concerned about the future of health. It reads - . . . we call on all governments: . . . as a matter of urgency, to put - the health reform agenda at the forthcoming Council of Australian Governments meeting. It is not just the Labor States and Territories that want health reform on the agenda - it is also wanted by a range of people who know about health and how it should be funded, and who work within the health system on a daily basis. Along with the other territory leaders and state Premiers, I have signed a letter to the Prime Minister calling on him to put this issue on the agenda and to properly engage on health funding. We have to put pressure on the Commonwealth. It is out of touch on this issue and we have to bring it back to reality. How do we do that? We want every member of this Parliament to work with the Government of Western Australia to put pressure on the Commonwealth. Is the Opposition putting the interests of Western Australia first? No. Once again the Opposition puts the interests of its Liberal friends in Canberra first. That is not good enough. It is about time everyone in this Parliament stood up for Western Australia and we will continue to do that. I table the letter to the Prime Minister on this matter. [See paper No 1422.]
I thank the member very much for that question. We all know that the most senior forum in Australian government is the Council of Australian Governments, in which each of the States, the Territories and the Commonwealth are represented. We also know that in every community throughout Australia today the most important issue is the health system, the way it operates and the relationship between the commonwealth and state parts of that system. The health system is under pressure. Firstly, the population is ageing and there is a shortage of nursing home beds. Secondly, the rate of bulk billing is declining throughout Australia. Thirdly, and very importantly, health costs are expanding rapidly. Health costs are rising throughout the nation at a rate greater than the consumer price index. The State Government recognises these issues and, since its election, has increased funding for health by 29 per cent, or 23 per cent in real terms. We have added $427 million to the health budget since coming to government while maintaining surpluses on the operating account. We are currently negotiating a new five-year health agreement with the Commonwealth. In February this year, the state and territory health ministers presented the commonwealth health minister, Senator Patterson, with an assessment of the commonwealth funding required under the new agreements. As a result of all the factors mentioned earlier, our assessment was that an additional $13 billion would be required over the next five years beyond the funding available under the current agreement between the States and the Commonwealth. As well as making the request for additional funding, the health ministers reiterated their commitment to health sector reform. However, we received an offer from the Commonwealth that would reduce funding by $1 billion over the next five years, compared with the funding we would have received had the previous agreement remained in force. That represents a $110 million shortfall for the people of Western Australia. This is a totally inadequate offer from the Commonwealth and every State and Territory Government is pressing this point to the Commonwealth. We are saying two things: first, we want the Commonwealth’s offer improved and we want to discuss how to do that with the Commonwealth; and secondly, we want the issue of health sector reform and funding on the agenda of the Council of Australian Governments meeting. The Prime Minister and his health minister have said that the Labor States are “playing politics.” I refer to today’s The Australian Financial Review and an article by Tony Harris who was a former New South Wales Auditor-General. In his analysis of the Commonwealth’s offer to the States, he makes it quite clear that it is “unsatisfactory” on the basis of all the pressures that are currently operating in the health system. I also refer to the communique released today by the Australian Health Care Summit 2003, which comprises doctors, practitioners, academics and people who are concerned about the future of health. It reads - . . . we call on all governments: . . . as a matter of urgency, to put - the health reform agenda at the forthcoming Council of Australian Governments meeting. It is not just the Labor States and Territories that want health reform on the agenda - it is also wanted by a range of people who know about health and how it should be funded, and who work within the health system on a daily basis. Along with the other territory leaders and state Premiers, I have signed a letter to the Prime Minister calling on him to put this issue on the agenda and to properly engage on health funding. We have to put pressure on the Commonwealth. It is out of touch on this issue and we have to bring it back to reality. How do we do that? We want every member of this Parliament to work with the Government of Western Australia to put pressure on the Commonwealth. Is the Opposition putting the interests of Western Australia first? No. Once again the Opposition puts the interests of its Liberal friends in Canberra first. That is not good enough. It is about time everyone in this Parliament stood up for Western Australia and we will continue to do that. I table the letter to the Prime Minister on this matter. [See paper No 1422.]
The health system is under pressure. Firstly, the population is ageing and there is a shortage of nursing home beds. Secondly, the rate of bulk billing is declining throughout Australia. Thirdly, and very importantly, health costs are expanding rapidly. Health costs are rising throughout the nation at a rate greater than the consumer price index. The State Government recognises these issues and, since its election, has increased funding for health by 29 per cent, or 23 per cent in real terms. We have added $427 million to the health budget since coming to government while maintaining surpluses on the operating account. We are currently negotiating a new five-year health agreement with the Commonwealth. In February this year, the state and territory health ministers presented the commonwealth health minister, Senator Patterson, with an assessment of the commonwealth funding required under the new agreements. As a result of all the factors mentioned earlier, our assessment was that an additional $13 billion would be required over the next five years beyond the funding available under the current agreement between the States and the Commonwealth. As well as making the request for additional funding, the health ministers reiterated their commitment to health sector reform. However, we received an offer from the Commonwealth that would reduce funding by $1 billion over the next five years, compared with the funding we would have received had the previous agreement remained in force. That represents a $110 million shortfall for the people of Western Australia. This is a totally inadequate offer from the Commonwealth and every State and Territory Government is pressing this point to the Commonwealth. We are saying two things: first, we want the Commonwealth’s offer improved and we want to discuss how to do that with the Commonwealth; and secondly, we want the issue of health sector reform and funding on the agenda of the Council of Australian Governments meeting. The Prime Minister and his health minister have said that the Labor States are “playing politics.” I refer to today’s The Australian Financial Review and an article by Tony Harris who was a former New South Wales Auditor-General. In his analysis of the Commonwealth’s offer to the States, he makes it quite clear that it is “unsatisfactory” on the basis of all the pressures that are currently operating in the health system. I also refer to the communique released today by the Australian Health Care Summit 2003, which comprises doctors, practitioners, academics and people who are concerned about the future of health. It reads - . . . we call on all governments: . . . as a matter of urgency, to put - the health reform agenda at the forthcoming Council of Australian Governments meeting. It is not just the Labor States and Territories that want health reform on the agenda - it is also wanted by a range of people who know about health and how it should be funded, and who work within the health system on a daily basis. Along with the other territory leaders and state Premiers, I have signed a letter to the Prime Minister calling on him to put this issue on the agenda and to properly engage on health funding. We have to put pressure on the Commonwealth. It is out of touch on this issue and we have to bring it back to reality. How do we do that? We want every member of this Parliament to work with the Government of Western Australia to put pressure on the Commonwealth. Is the Opposition putting the interests of Western Australia first? No. Once again the Opposition puts the interests of its Liberal friends in Canberra first. That is not good enough. It is about time everyone in this Parliament stood up for Western Australia and we will continue to do that. I table the letter to the Prime Minister on this matter. [See paper No 1422.]
The Prime Minister and his health minister have said that the Labor States are “playing politics.” I refer to today’s The Australian Financial Review and an article by Tony Harris who was a former New South Wales Auditor-General. In his analysis of the Commonwealth’s offer to the States, he makes it quite clear that it is “unsatisfactory” on the basis of all the pressures that are currently operating in the health system. I also refer to the communique released today by the Australian Health Care Summit 2003, which comprises doctors, practitioners, academics and people who are concerned about the future of health. It reads - . . . we call on all governments: . . . as a matter of urgency, to put - the health reform agenda at the forthcoming Council of Australian Governments meeting. It is not just the Labor States and Territories that want health reform on the agenda - it is also wanted by a range of people who know about health and how it should be funded, and who work within the health system on a daily basis. Along with the other territory leaders and state Premiers, I have signed a letter to the Prime Minister calling on him to put this issue on the agenda and to properly engage on health funding. We have to put pressure on the Commonwealth. It is out of touch on this issue and we have to bring it back to reality. How do we do that? We want every member of this Parliament to work with the Government of Western Australia to put pressure on the Commonwealth. Is the Opposition putting the interests of Western Australia first? No. Once again the Opposition puts the interests of its Liberal friends in Canberra first. That is not good enough. It is about time everyone in this Parliament stood up for Western Australia and we will continue to do that. I table the letter to the Prime Minister on this matter. [See paper No 1422.]
I also refer to the communique released today by the Australian Health Care Summit 2003, which comprises doctors, practitioners, academics and people who are concerned about the future of health. It reads - . . . we call on all governments: . . . as a matter of urgency, to put - the health reform agenda at the forthcoming Council of Australian Governments meeting. It is not just the Labor States and Territories that want health reform on the agenda - it is also wanted by a range of people who know about health and how it should be funded, and who work within the health system on a daily basis. Along with the other territory leaders and state Premiers, I have signed a letter to the Prime Minister calling on him to put this issue on the agenda and to properly engage on health funding. We have to put pressure on the Commonwealth. It is out of touch on this issue and we have to bring it back to reality. How do we do that? We want every member of this Parliament to work with the Government of Western Australia to put pressure on the Commonwealth. Is the Opposition putting the interests of Western Australia first? No. Once again the Opposition puts the interests of its Liberal friends in Canberra first. That is not good enough. It is about time everyone in this Parliament stood up for Western Australia and we will continue to do that. I table the letter to the Prime Minister on this matter. [See paper No 1422.]
. . . as a matter of urgency,
[See paper No 1422.]
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I thank the member very much for that question. We all know that the most senior forum in Australian government is the Council of Australian Governments, in which each of the States, the Territories and the Commonwealth are represented. We also know that in every community throughout Australia today the most important issue is the health system, the way it operates and the relationship between the commonwealth and state parts of that system. The health system is under pressure. Firstly, the population is ageing and there is a shortage of nursing home beds. Secondly, the rate of bulk billing is declining throughout Australia. Thirdly, and very importantly, health costs are expanding rapidly. Health costs are rising throughout the nation at a rate greater than the consumer price index. The State Government recognises these issues and, since its election, has increased funding for health by 29 per cent, or 23 per cent in real terms. We have added $427 million to the health budget since coming to government while maintaining surpluses on the operating account. We are currently negotiating a new five-year health agreement with the Commonwealth. In February this year, the state and territory health ministers presented the commonwealth health minister, Senator Patterson, with an assessment of the commonwealth funding required under the new agreements. As a result of all the factors mentioned earlier, our assessment was that an additional $13 billion would be required over the next five years beyond the funding available under the current agreement between the States and the Commonwealth. As well as making the request for additional funding, the health ministers reiterated their commitment to health sector reform. However, we received an offer from the Commonwealth that would reduce funding by $1 billion over the next five years, compared with the funding we would have received had the previous agreement remained in force. That represents a $110 million shortfall for the people of Western Australia. This is a totally inadequate offer from the Commonwealth and every State and Territory Government is pressing this point to the Commonwealth. We are saying two things: first, we want the Commonwealth’s offer improved and we want to discuss how to do that with the Commonwealth; and secondly, we want the issue of health sector reform and funding on the agenda of the Council of Australian Governments meeting. The Prime Minister and his health minister have said that the Labor States are “playing politics.” I refer to today’s The Australian Financial Review and an article by Tony Harris who was a former New South Wales Auditor-General. In his analysis of the Commonwealth’s offer to the States, he makes it quite clear that it is “unsatisfactory” on the basis of all the pressures that are currently operating in the health system. I also refer to the communique released today by the Australian Health Care Summit 2003, which comprises doctors, practitioners, academics and people who are concerned about the future of health. It reads - . . . we call on all governments: . . . as a matter of urgency, to put - the health reform agenda at the forthcoming Council of Australian Governments meeting. It is not just the Labor States and Territories that want health reform on the agenda - it is also wanted by a range of people who know about health and how it should be funded, and who work within the health system on a daily basis. Along with the other territory leaders and state Premiers, I have signed a letter to the Prime Minister calling on him to put this issue on the agenda and to properly engage on health funding. We have to put pressure on the Commonwealth. It is out of touch on this issue and we have to bring it back to reality. How do we do that? We want every member of this Parliament to work with the Government of Western Australia to put pressure on the Commonwealth. Is the Opposition putting the interests of Western Australia first? No. Once again the Opposition puts the interests of its Liberal friends in Canberra first. That is not good enough. It is about time everyone in this Parliament stood up for Western Australia and we will continue to do that. I table the letter to the Prime Minister on this matter. [See paper No 1422.]
I thank the member very much for that question. We all know that the most senior forum in Australian government is the Council of Australian Governments, in which each of the States, the Territories and the Commonwealth are represented. We also know that in every community throughout Australia today the most important issue is the health system, the way it operates and the relationship between the commonwealth and state parts of that system. The health system is under pressure. Firstly, the population is ageing and there is a shortage of nursing home beds. Secondly, the rate of bulk billing is declining throughout Australia. Thirdly, and very importantly, health costs are expanding rapidly. Health costs are rising throughout the nation at a rate greater than the consumer price index. The State Government recognises these issues and, since its election, has increased funding for health by 29 per cent, or 23 per cent in real terms. We have added $427 million to the health budget since coming to government while maintaining surpluses on the operating account. We are currently negotiating a new five-year health agreement with the Commonwealth. In February this year, the state and territory health ministers presented the commonwealth health minister, Senator Patterson, with an assessment of the commonwealth funding required under the new agreements. As a result of all the factors mentioned earlier, our assessment was that an additional $13 billion would be required over the next five years beyond the funding available under the current agreement between the States and the Commonwealth. As well as making the request for additional funding, the health ministers reiterated their commitment to health sector reform. However, we received an offer from the Commonwealth that would reduce funding by $1 billion over the next five years, compared with the funding we would have received had the previous agreement remained in force. That represents a $110 million shortfall for the people of Western Australia. This is a totally inadequate offer from the Commonwealth and every State and Territory Government is pressing this point to the Commonwealth. We are saying two things: first, we want the Commonwealth’s offer improved and we want to discuss how to do that with the Commonwealth; and secondly, we want the issue of health sector reform and funding on the agenda of the Council of Australian Governments meeting. The Prime Minister and his health minister have said that the Labor States are “playing politics.” I refer to today’s The Australian Financial Review and an article by Tony Harris who was a former New South Wales Auditor-General. In his analysis of the Commonwealth’s offer to the States, he makes it quite clear that it is “unsatisfactory” on the basis of all the pressures that are currently operating in the health system. I also refer to the communique released today by the Australian Health Care Summit 2003, which comprises doctors, practitioners, academics and people who are concerned about the future of health. It reads - . . . we call on all governments: . . . as a matter of urgency, to put - the health reform agenda at the forthcoming Council of Australian Governments meeting. It is not just the Labor States and Territories that want health reform on the agenda - it is also wanted by a range of people who know about health and how it should be funded, and who work within the health system on a daily basis. Along with the other territory leaders and state Premiers, I have signed a letter to the Prime Minister calling on him to put this issue on the agenda and to properly engage on health funding. We have to put pressure on the Commonwealth. It is out of touch on this issue and we have to bring it back to reality. How do we do that? We want every member of this Parliament to work with the Government of Western Australia to put pressure on the Commonwealth. Is the Opposition putting the interests of Western Australia first? No. Once again the Opposition puts the interests of its Liberal friends in Canberra first. That is not good enough. It is about time everyone in this Parliament stood up for Western Australia and we will continue to do that. I table the letter to the Prime Minister on this matter. [See paper No 1422.]
The health system is under pressure. Firstly, the population is ageing and there is a shortage of nursing home beds. Secondly, the rate of bulk billing is declining throughout Australia. Thirdly, and very importantly, health costs are expanding rapidly. Health costs are rising throughout the nation at a rate greater than the consumer price index. The State Government recognises these issues and, since its election, has increased funding for health by 29 per cent, or 23 per cent in real terms. We have added $427 million to the health budget since coming to government while maintaining surpluses on the operating account. We are currently negotiating a new five-year health agreement with the Commonwealth. In February this year, the state and territory health ministers presented the commonwealth health minister, Senator Patterson, with an assessment of the commonwealth funding required under the new agreements. As a result of all the factors mentioned earlier, our assessment was that an additional $13 billion would be required over the next five years beyond the funding available under the current agreement between the States and the Commonwealth. As well as making the request for additional funding, the health ministers reiterated their commitment to health sector reform. However, we received an offer from the Commonwealth that would reduce funding by $1 billion over the next five years, compared with the funding we would have received had the previous agreement remained in force. That represents a $110 million shortfall for the people of Western Australia. This is a totally inadequate offer from the Commonwealth and every State and Territory Government is pressing this point to the Commonwealth. We are saying two things: first, we want the Commonwealth’s offer improved and we want to discuss how to do that with the Commonwealth; and secondly, we want the issue of health sector reform and funding on the agenda of the Council of Australian Governments meeting. The Prime Minister and his health minister have said that the Labor States are “playing politics.” I refer to today’s The Australian Financial Review and an article by Tony Harris who was a former New South Wales Auditor-General. In his analysis of the Commonwealth’s offer to the States, he makes it quite clear that it is “unsatisfactory” on the basis of all the pressures that are currently operating in the health system. I also refer to the communique released today by the Australian Health Care Summit 2003, which comprises doctors, practitioners, academics and people who are concerned about the future of health. It reads - . . . we call on all governments: . . . as a matter of urgency, to put - the health reform agenda at the forthcoming Council of Australian Governments meeting. It is not just the Labor States and Territories that want health reform on the agenda - it is also wanted by a range of people who know about health and how it should be funded, and who work within the health system on a daily basis. Along with the other territory leaders and state Premiers, I have signed a letter to the Prime Minister calling on him to put this issue on the agenda and to properly engage on health funding. We have to put pressure on the Commonwealth. It is out of touch on this issue and we have to bring it back to reality. How do we do that? We want every member of this Parliament to work with the Government of Western Australia to put pressure on the Commonwealth. Is the Opposition putting the interests of Western Australia first? No. Once again the Opposition puts the interests of its Liberal friends in Canberra first. That is not good enough. It is about time everyone in this Parliament stood up for Western Australia and we will continue to do that. I table the letter to the Prime Minister on this matter. [See paper No 1422.]
The Prime Minister and his health minister have said that the Labor States are “playing politics.” I refer to today’s The Australian Financial Review and an article by Tony Harris who was a former New South Wales Auditor-General. In his analysis of the Commonwealth’s offer to the States, he makes it quite clear that it is “unsatisfactory” on the basis of all the pressures that are currently operating in the health system. I also refer to the communique released today by the Australian Health Care Summit 2003, which comprises doctors, practitioners, academics and people who are concerned about the future of health. It reads - . . . we call on all governments: . . . as a matter of urgency, to put - the health reform agenda at the forthcoming Council of Australian Governments meeting. It is not just the Labor States and Territories that want health reform on the agenda - it is also wanted by a range of people who know about health and how it should be funded, and who work within the health system on a daily basis. Along with the other territory leaders and state Premiers, I have signed a letter to the Prime Minister calling on him to put this issue on the agenda and to properly engage on health funding. We have to put pressure on the Commonwealth. It is out of touch on this issue and we have to bring it back to reality. How do we do that? We want every member of this Parliament to work with the Government of Western Australia to put pressure on the Commonwealth. Is the Opposition putting the interests of Western Australia first? No. Once again the Opposition puts the interests of its Liberal friends in Canberra first. That is not good enough. It is about time everyone in this Parliament stood up for Western Australia and we will continue to do that. I table the letter to the Prime Minister on this matter. [See paper No 1422.]
I also refer to the communique released today by the Australian Health Care Summit 2003, which comprises doctors, practitioners, academics and people who are concerned about the future of health. It reads - . . . we call on all governments: . . . as a matter of urgency, to put - the health reform agenda at the forthcoming Council of Australian Governments meeting. It is not just the Labor States and Territories that want health reform on the agenda - it is also wanted by a range of people who know about health and how it should be funded, and who work within the health system on a daily basis. Along with the other territory leaders and state Premiers, I have signed a letter to the Prime Minister calling on him to put this issue on the agenda and to properly engage on health funding. We have to put pressure on the Commonwealth. It is out of touch on this issue and we have to bring it back to reality. How do we do that? We want every member of this Parliament to work with the Government of Western Australia to put pressure on the Commonwealth. Is the Opposition putting the interests of Western Australia first? No. Once again the Opposition puts the interests of its Liberal friends in Canberra first. That is not good enough. It is about time everyone in this Parliament stood up for Western Australia and we will continue to do that. I table the letter to the Prime Minister on this matter. [See paper No 1422.]
. . . as a matter of urgency,
[See paper No 1422.]
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