The Opposition is calling on the Minns Labor Government to guarantee health funding after they again refused to rule out cuts in the upcoming Budget.
For the second day in a row Health Minister Ryan Park was asked in Parliament about health funding and refused to rule out cuts to funding for frontline health workers including nurses.
Shadow Health Minister Matt Kean said that the Health Minister’s bizarre performance in Parliament yesterday announcing that 1100 nurse positions were at risk, was compounded today when he refused to rule out significant cuts to the NSW Health Budget.
“The Coalition Government delivered record investment of more than $33 billion in the state’s health system, including more than $30 billion in recurrent funding. This funding included an increase to the health workforce of more than 10,000 full time equivalent staff over four years.”
“The Coalition’s last Budget included a record health spend, a return to surplus, and secured two Triple A credit ratings. It is clear that Labor’s unfunded promises to union bosses will blow the Budget, adding the state’s health workers and programs to the long list of Labor’s broken promises and cuts.”
“Instead of guaranteeing funding for key services, programs and infrastructure the Minns Labor Government cut Active Kids, Metro West, environmental subsidies, and have given a tax break to the Star Casino following revelations it allowed organised crime to flourish.”
“I stand in support with the medical professionals who today have condemned Ryan Park’s attack on the health system,” Mr Kean concluded.