Government moves to block funding criticism

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The federal government has announced an additional $1.25 billion for health services around Australia.

Prime minister Scott Morrison said the additional funding "will provide more doctors, more nurses and more services in every state and territory."

The $1.25 billion in funding will be allocated through the 'Community Health and Hospitals Program' to fund projects and services that reduce pressure on community and hospital services.

According to Mr Morrison, the funding will focus on:

  1. Preventive, primary and chronic disease management;
  2. Specialist hospital services such as cancer treatment, rural health and hospital infrastructure;
  3. Drug and alcohol treatment; and
  4. Mental health.

"The new program will complement our record investment in public hospitals," he said.

"Our funding for public hospitals will more than double from $13.3 billion in 2012–13 to $28.7 billion in 2024–25."

However, shadow health minister Catherine King said the government could not be trusted on health funding.

"This tricky announcement does not match Labor’s funding, and it does not reverse the savage cuts that Scott Morrison has inflicted on every public hospital in Australia," she said.

"As Treasurer, Morrison inflicted savage cuts on health and hospitals in every budget he authored.

"And now he expects the Australian people to believe he’s suddenly seen the light and believes in better hospital funding?"