ACT Labor calls for more federal funding for public health system at annual conference
The gathering of party faithful from across Canberra yesterday was the first time the event had been held since Labor returned to power in the ACT for a seventh term.
It's the first time the event's been held since Labor was returned to power in the ACT for a seventh term.
The annual conference is a chance for party members and elected representatives to take stock and reflect on challenges.
And while there was optimism about the party's achievements, there was also concern about the issues in the capital healthcare sector.
In his address to conference delegates, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said this year would see a record investment in the public health system.
"It includes additional nurses, doctors and allied health professionals as part of the commitment that we made to hire 800 new healthcare workers in this parliamentary term," he said.
At the election in May, federal Labor committed more than $14 million to support bulk-billing GPs in the ACT, on top of national commitments to incentivise more bulk-billing.
But Mr Barr said the government "always needs a little more" federal funding, and stabilising the health system was no exception.
"We warmly welcome the significant additional investment coming from the federal government into primary health care, including more support for bulk-billing across our community," Mr Barr said.
Negotiations between the states and territories and the commonwealth on a new five-year National Health Reform Agreement are ongoing.
ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith the territory was pushing for the commonwealth to get back on track to meet a 2023 commitment to fund 45 per cent of the ACT's public health system within 10 years.
"We currently now, in the ACT under the agreement, are below 35 per cent commonwealth funding, so we are looking to get back on track for that trajectory," Ms Stephen-Smith said.
Health spending now makes up more than a third of the ACT budget and it is projected to grow.
The territory government's plan to help fund the public health sector with a $250 healthcare levy for all ratepayers was walked back just six days after being proposed when the ACT Greens struck a deal to reduce it to $100 for residential ratepayers.
It is an example of the reality the ACT government faces now that it is not in coalition with the Greens: It must negotiate with the crossbench.
In his address, Mr Barr also said the territory government was well on its way to its goal of enabling the construction of 30,000 additional homes in Canberra by 2023.
Mr Barr said the city had doubled in size since he began living in it in 1977, and it was going to double again.
"We need to ensure that we have the planning framework in place to manage that change over the coming decades," he said.
"That's why the government's planning reform agenda combines territory planning reforms, increased land release, and more direct investment from both the territory and commonwealth governments to enable the tens of thousands of new homes that we need to be built."
But he said the government could not just construct more homes and call it a day — the surrounding community infrastructure had to be built too.
"[It also] extends to things that make Canberra a better place to live like the new Canberra Aquatic Centre, the new lyric theatre … the new convention centre.
"And that investment in infrastructure will support more jobs in tourism and hospitality."
In wrapping up his address, Mr Barr said Canberra being ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the world was "one of the benefits of long-term Labor governments".
"Our city is fairer, more diverse, and a better place to live than it was 25 years ago," he said.
"I like to say that Canberra is Australia's most improved city, and I don't get much disagreement wherever I say that in Australia or around the world.
"Quality of life means something. It doesn't happen by accident, and it is the result of our collective work over many decades.
Labor has been in power in the ACT for almost 24 years.
The next territory election is not due for another three years, but the annual conference is a chance for the party to cement its platform — a platform it is hoping Canberrans continue to support.
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