Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator O'Neill for the question. I'm very pleased to reflect the announcement of National Cabinet here today, an example of the federation working for Australia and, most centrally, of the government working with other governments to ensure a better health system for all Australians. National Cabinet made important progress on key reforms to strengthen Australia's health system, to secure the future of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and on keeping Australians safe. Premiers, first ministers and the Prime Minister are working together in the common interests of all Australians.

National Cabinet had agreed that the top priority for 2023 was health. I'm pleased to again communicate the National Cabinet decision to a further $1.2 billion package to strengthen Medicare. That's a further $1.2 billion of strengthening Medicare measures which are all about taking the pressure off our hospitals. The Commonwealth, the Albanese government, is boosting funding for Medicare urgent care clinics and supporting older Australians through avoided hospital admission and early discharge from hospital. We are focused on delivering reforms that ensure the entire health system is more integrated, more equitable, more efficient and more sustainable. Of course, these measures are on top of the measures that the Albanese government is already doing, which include cheaper medicines, urgent care clinics and investment in bulk-billing, and are in stark contrast to the decade, the shameful legacy, of cuts and mismanagement by the coalition.