❓ Opposition questions the Premier's claim of a 'world class' health system amid concerns raised by medical and nursing associations. The Premier defends the government's record funding and workforce recruitment efforts.
AnsweredQoN 302Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Hospitals—Government performance
302. Mr Basil Zempilas to
the Premier:
I, too, acknowledge
the year 11 politics and legal studies students from Newman College. Thank you,
Mr Speaker, for acknowledging them.
Does the Premier
stand by his claims that WA's health system is world class when the Australian
Medical Association (WA) says that our hospitals are on their knees and the Australian
Nursing Federation of WA says that the government needs to make hospital safety
a top priority?
302. Mr Basil Zempilas to
the Premier:
I, too, acknowledge
the year 11 politics and legal studies students from Newman College. Thank you,
Mr Speaker, for acknowledging them.
Does the Premier
stand by his claims that WA's health system is world class when the Australian
Medical Association (WA) says that our hospitals are on their knees and the Australian
Nursing Federation of WA says that the government needs to make hospital safety
a top priority?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member
for the question. I could not agree more with the ANF WA. We do believe that
safety is the most important part of providing health services in Western
Australia, which is the reason we have provided more funding, we have provided
more—
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members! The Leader of the Opposition has
asked the question. That was not the question, but the Premier is responding.
Mr Roger Cook: That is the reason we have provided
record funding and we have provided record workforce recruitment. We continue
to perform better than most other health systems around the country, and we are
very proud of that. We know there is always work to be done. That is the nature
of health. It works in a dynamic, flowing population. In some years, there are increases
in flu over the winter season, for instance. At other times, there are impacts from
other things, such as global pandemics. But the important thing that we must do
is make sure that we continue to fund health care in Western Australia, and we
have funded it more than most and more than ever before, and we are very proud
of that.
In 2025–26,
we will spend $14.2 billion on health services and we are delivering a $3.2
billion health infrastructure program. That is the reason we continue to have
confidence in the work that the doctors and nurses are doing in our hospitals.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members of the opposition!
Mr Roger Cook: Day in and day out, they provide great
health care to the people of Western Australia. We are very proud of their work,
and that is why we are funding them in the way we are. We will continue to make
sure that they receive the funding so that they can continue to carry out great
health care in Western Australia.
for the question. I could not agree more with the ANF WA. We do believe that
safety is the most important part of providing health services in Western
Australia, which is the reason we have provided more funding, we have provided
more—
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members! The Leader of the Opposition has
asked the question. That was not the question, but the Premier is responding.
Mr Roger Cook: That is the reason we have provided
record funding and we have provided record workforce recruitment. We continue
to perform better than most other health systems around the country, and we are
very proud of that. We know there is always work to be done. That is the nature
of health. It works in a dynamic, flowing population. In some years, there are increases
in flu over the winter season, for instance. At other times, there are impacts from
other things, such as global pandemics. But the important thing that we must do
is make sure that we continue to fund health care in Western Australia, and we
have funded it more than most and more than ever before, and we are very proud
of that.
In 2025–26,
we will spend $14.2 billion on health services and we are delivering a $3.2
billion health infrastructure program. That is the reason we continue to have
confidence in the work that the doctors and nurses are doing in our hospitals.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members of the opposition!
Mr Roger Cook: Day in and day out, they provide great
health care to the people of Western Australia. We are very proud of their work,
and that is why we are funding them in the way we are. We will continue to make
sure that they receive the funding so that they can continue to carry out great
health care in Western Australia.
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