Media Release: 22 December 2009

Tony Abbott’s proposed health reform is regressive

Australian Nursing Federation Acting Federal Secretary Lee Thomas said the opposition leader’s proposed funding, which would be done through local hospital boards, was a backwards step in health reform.

These policies do not work in practice and they will not deliver for current or future health care needs, she said.

“Mr Abbott’s inefficient and expensive health reform policies would lead to a duplication of services, micromanagement and unworkable healthcare outcomes,” she said.

“Although we respect the needs of all communities to have their say, the micromanagement of the healthcare system will not deliver improved health reforms to the scale Australia requires now and into the future.

“Whilst funding is an extremely important part of the health system it is merely one piece in the puzzle and Mr Abbott has failed to put any other detail forward regarding the policy.”

The ANF has been involved in the thorough community consultation process under Labor, with the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission's recommendations. The ANF supports this process and is hopeful that it will deliver the necessary reforms our healthcare system needs,” Ms Thomas said.

Media Contacts
Eleni Hale, Media and Communications (03) 9602 8522 / 0402337388
Lee Thomas, Acting Federal Secretary 0419 576 590

The ANF, with 170,000 members, is the professional and industrial voice for nurses and midwives in Australia.