New analysis has revealed how much Victorian hospitals will lose over the next ten years as a result of the Abbott Government’s cuts to health.
The Abbott Government has walked away from key components of the National Health Reform Agreement, cutting the Commonwealth’s contributions to Victoria’s public hospitals from 1 July 2017 and removing funding guarantees.
As a result, Victoria stands to lose $13.6 billion over the next ten years, the equivalent of more than 2.3 million elective surgeries. $13.6 billion is also equivalent to more than 25 million dialysis sessions, or more than 11.6 million chemotherapy treatments.
The Abbott Government’s cuts comes on top of $1 billion ripped out of health by the previous State Liberal Government, and means Victorians will wait even longer in emergency departments and on elective surgery waiting lists.
Analysis by health service shows Tony Abbott’s cuts will mean:
- Monash Health will lose $1.68 billion over the next ten years
- Alfred Health will lose $1.06 billion over the next ten years
- Eastern Health will lose $1.01 billion over the next ten years
- Melbourne Health will lose $1.01 billion over the next ten years
- Austin Health will lose $853.49 million over the next ten years
Hospitals in regional Victoria will also be hard hit, including:
- Barwon Health, which will lose $642 million over the next ten years
- Bendigo Health, which will lose $364 million over the next ten years
- Ballarat Health, which will lose $348 million over the next ten years
The Abbott Government has also cut funding from a number of key National Partnership Agreements, including:
- Up to $90 million for the National Partnership Agreement for Preventive Health
- Almost $220 million ($219.4 million) over three years for the National Partnership Agreement on Adult Public Dental Services
- Up to $50 million in reward payments for emergency department and elective surgery waiting list times, and $840 million over the next ten years to fund new subacute beds, under the National Partnership Agreement on Improving Public Hospital Services
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Jill Hennessy
“Before the election, Tony Abbott said he wouldn’t cut health, but all we’ve had is cut after cut after cut to our hospitals and health programs.”
“The Abbott Government’s cuts mean Victorians will wait longer for surgery they need.”
“The Federal Government must play its part and fund Victoria's hospitals to improve waiting times and reduce waiting lists.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020