Fed: Public hospitals to be election issue: Labor

AAP General News (Australia)
08-24-2006
Fed: Public hospitals to be election issue: Labor

CANBERRA, Aug 24 AAP - A possible federal takeover of public hospital management will
be an issue at the next election, Labor says.

Opposition health spokeswoman Julia Gillard says hospital responsibility is a debate
Australia "had to have" in the context of the 2008 health care agreement, the next five-yearly
pact between the federal and state governments.

"We should use those agreements as a way to start talking about whether or not we need
one health system funded federally which runs the lot," Ms Gillard told the Ten Network
today.

"I think it will be an issue at the next election, the future of our health system."

Ms Gillard yesterday said Labor would consider taking on the states' responsibility
for running public hospitals as part of a major shake-up of the health system if it wins
government.

Health Minister Tony Abbott ruled out the idea in December last year, in line with
Prime Minister John Howard's repeated rejection of the move.

AAP jb/mfh/evt/nf

KEYWORD: HOSPITALS

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