NSW calls for a fairer share of Federal health funding

Hatzistergos said half-way through the current Australian Health Care Agreement, NSW is now spending more on health care services than Canberra.

"The fact is, the people of NSW are being short-changed by the Federal Government," he said.

"The Commonwealth health system is a massive 5,000 odd bureaucracy which doesn't treat a single patient.

"Yet, every year they come to lecture us on how we should spend our money on health care."

Hatzistergos recently met State and Territory Health Ministers at a summit in Melbourne where he will outline how:

Since signing of the current Australian Health Care Agreement in 2003, NSW funding for public hospitals has increased by 42.3% - compared to the Federal Government's rise of just 14.7 %

In 2005/06, the NSW rate of funding increase for public hospitals was 10.4 percent - the Federal Government's contribution rose by only 5%.

"Through the health budget, in 2003/04 NSW was spending $1.60 for every $1 it gets from Canberra. In 2006/07, we are paying $1.80 compared to Canberra's dollar," he explained.

"That's why I am calling on the Federal Minister for Health to ensure that the health services provided by all states and territories receive a fair share of Canberra's record high budget surpluses."