❓ Opposition questions the purpose of a 'cost-cutting taskforce' in health. Minister denies it's for cost-cutting, framing it as adapting to changing healthcare demands and ensuring financial sustainability amidst growing population and Commonwealth funding negotiations.
AnsweredQoN 390Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Health—Cost-cutting taskforce
390. Mr Liam Staltari to
the Minister for Health:
I have a
supplementary question. Why would the minister's government set up a
cost-cutting taskforce if it does not intend to cut costs in health?
390. Mr Liam Staltari to
the Minister for Health:
I have a
supplementary question. Why would the minister's government set up a
cost-cutting taskforce if it does not intend to cut costs in health?
AnswerView source ↗
If those opposite
had listened to my first answer, they would know that it is not a cost-cutting
exercise. I think I made it really clear that it is a recognition of the
context in which health care is delivered in this state.
Mr Lachlan Hunter interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Central Wheatbelt!
Ms Meredith Hammat: The context is changing in this
and every other state, and the government has been mindful of the issues around
financial sustainability since it was first elected. The impacts of COVID
compounded that. The ongoing negotiations with the Commonwealth on the National
Health Reform Agreement have also compounded that. People's expectations of how
and when they access health care are changing all the time so our job as the
government is not just to carry on doing what we have always done in health
care.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members of the opposition, you have asked
the question. Minister.
Ms Meredith Hammat: We have to meet the increase in
demand because of our ageing population and growing population. But at the same
time, we have to transform the way health care is delivered so that people can
access it. We want to do that in such a way that people are getting the health
care they need and, of course, we need to do that in a sustainable way. It is
not a cost-cutting exercise. No government has invested more in health care
than this government. The increases we have made in staff numbers stand in
stark contrast to what you did when you were in government.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members! Please cease interjecting.
Ms Meredith Hammat: They do not like to be reminded
that we have increased the number of doctors and nurses; we have 1,900 more
doctors and 5,000 more nurses. You cut staff. We have increased staff, and we
will continue to invest in the health care of Western Australians.
had listened to my first answer, they would know that it is not a cost-cutting
exercise. I think I made it really clear that it is a recognition of the
context in which health care is delivered in this state.
Mr Lachlan Hunter interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Central Wheatbelt!
Ms Meredith Hammat: The context is changing in this
and every other state, and the government has been mindful of the issues around
financial sustainability since it was first elected. The impacts of COVID
compounded that. The ongoing negotiations with the Commonwealth on the National
Health Reform Agreement have also compounded that. People's expectations of how
and when they access health care are changing all the time so our job as the
government is not just to carry on doing what we have always done in health
care.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members of the opposition, you have asked
the question. Minister.
Ms Meredith Hammat: We have to meet the increase in
demand because of our ageing population and growing population. But at the same
time, we have to transform the way health care is delivered so that people can
access it. We want to do that in such a way that people are getting the health
care they need and, of course, we need to do that in a sustainable way. It is
not a cost-cutting exercise. No government has invested more in health care
than this government. The increases we have made in staff numbers stand in
stark contrast to what you did when you were in government.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members! Please cease interjecting.
Ms Meredith Hammat: They do not like to be reminded
that we have increased the number of doctors and nurses; we have 1,900 more
doctors and 5,000 more nurses. You cut staff. We have increased staff, and we
will continue to invest in the health care of Western Australians.
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