The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) welcomes prioritised funding in the Budget for health and aged care including: $8.5 billion to strengthen Medicare; $2.6 billion for wage rises for aged care nurses; $1.7 billion for the nation’s public hospitals; a pipeline of new Urgent Care Clinics and a landmark $573 million women’s health package.

The ANMF also applauds the Albanese Government for tackling cost of living pressures by reducing the cost of medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS); $17 billion in tax cuts for workers; an extra 400 scholarships for nurses and midwives; extending access to childcare; slashing student HECS-HELP debts by 20 per cent; providing 100,000 fee-free TAFE places and $150 in energy rebates each quarter.

“The Budget is full of good news for our members working on the frontline of health and aged care,” ANMF Federal Secretary, Annie Butler, said today.

“As the country heads to the election in May, the ANMF looks forward to working with the Government to deliver on these Budget investments and to build a stronger and sustainable health and aged care workforce that can improve care, reduce waiting times and provide better health outcomes for the community.”

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