Shadow health minister Catherine King says a future Labor government will provide $1 billion for upgrades to Australia’s public hospitals.
Ms King said the funding will go towards building new wards with more beds, upgrading emergency departments and theatres, and establishing new palliative care and mental health facilities.
"Our doctors, nurses and hospital staff do an amazing job, but we know there are hospital facilities across the country that are aging and in dire need of a revamp to ensure patients get the best care possible," said Ms King.
She said "every state and territory" will benefit and that the funding will be flexible and tailored towards the needs of individual hospitals.
"We are already partnering with state and territory governments to identify projects that will make a tangible difference to the lives of Australians – whether they’re giving birth, undergoing essential surgery, waiting for emergency treatment or reaching the end of their lives," added Ms King.