Senator Ruston condemns Labor: Government under fire for failing patients

The NSW Labor and Albanese Governments are facing intense backlash as their failure to address the healthcare crisis continues to jeopardise patient care.

Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator Anne Ruston, criticised the recurring blame game, asserting that it fails to deliver tangible improvements for patients.

“Clearly, both the NSW and Federal Labor Governments are unable to take accountability,” Senator Ruston said.

“The Albanese Government’s inaction on workforce shortages and their cost-of-living crisis are having serious consequences for Australians’ access to essential healthcare. It has literally never been harder or more expensive to see a doctor.”

According to the NSW Bureau of Health Information quarterly report, presentations to emergency departments were up 2.1% on the same quarter last year, while triage category 2 and 3 presentations were higher than they have been since BHI reporting began in 2010. The report also found only 61.3% of patients started their treatment on time – the lowest since 2010.

There were fewer elective surgeries performed this quarter than the same time last year and almost 4000 people waited longer than recommended on NSW’s surgical lists in September.

“This is an exhausted health system going backwards and an urgent injection of funds is needed,” said AMA (NSW) President, Dr Kathryn Austin.

Statistics also reveal a bleak outlook for primary healthcare under the Albanese Government. Patients are now bearing 45% more of the cost to visit a GP compared to the previous Coalition Government. Bulk billing rates have plummeted by 11% since the government assumed office, driving out-of-pocket costs to unprecedented levels. The affordability crisis is compounded by a severe GP workforce shortage, which critics argue remains largely unaddressed.

Senator Ruston also accused the NSW Labor Government of exacerbating the situation with what she described as mismanagement of state hospitals and an aggressive stance on private health insurance (PHI).

“Their shakedown of PHI is forcing premiums up, which runs the risk of Australians dropping their private health cover and putting even more pressure on the public health system,” she emphasised.

“Labor needs to stop squabbling with itself and work to finalise the new National Health Reform Agreement (NHRA) as a matter of priority.”

With just six months remaining, there has been little public progress on finalising the agreement and when a new agreement will be signed.

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