Ms. Mettam questions the Minister for Health regarding the reported 1.4% increase in the health budget. The Minister avoids directly confirming the figure, instead highlighting the overall $1.9 billion COVID-19 response package and future investments.

AnsweredQoN 510Legislative Assembly
Asked
14 September 2021
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

HEALTH
— 2021–22 STATE BUDGET — TOTAL COST OF SERVICES
510. Ms L. METTAM to the Minister for Health:
Can the minister confirm that the
increase in the total cost of services for the health budget was just 1.4 per
cent, or $140 million, for this financial year compared with last year's
estimated actual expenditure?

AnswerView source ↗

The
budget for health is obviously a part of which we are very proud, a $1.9 billion
package associated with dealing with the combined impact of COVID-19 and
the increase in demand on our hospitals. We will need to continue to monitor
the situation in relation to COVID-19. We do not fund into the future too far
in relation to these things, because we have to understand what those impacts
will be. We want to make sure that there is plentiful funding to ensure that
the health system and other aspects of government activity are able to respond
to whatever challenges COVID-19 puts up. We are very proud of the health
outcomes in this particular budget. The budget demonstrates that we have done two important things. One is
that we have looked after the state's finances. That has given us the opportunity to fund significantly big projects in terms of both programs and
capital funding. More funding will be made available as we continue to
understand what the challenges are in relation to COVID-19.
There
will be a $1.8 billion investment, in addition to that, for a new women's
and babies' hospital. That is something about which I am very
proud. That will be a great legacy for the people of Western Australia. It will
demonstrate once again that Labor invests heavily in health services for WA
patients.

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