Gladys Berejiklian poised for win in consolidating partnerships

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is to have a first win in her attempts to reduce 70 National Partnership agreements to 10.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian speaks during a press conference on planned major road safety measures in Sydney, on Tuesday. Picture: AAP

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is to have a first win in her ­attempts to reduce 70 National Partnership agreements to 10, with COAG tomorrow expected to reduce 21 health agreements to just one.

Ms Berejiklian’s win comes as the states and federal Health Minister Greg Hunt wrangle to achieve a deal on hospital funding for the five years from 2020 in an apparent bid to get the Medicare issue off the agenda ahead of the next federal election.

Mr Hunt is promising 45 per cent of public hospital funding and 6.5 per cent growth funding capped each year for five years.

The states are seeking more.

A spokesman for Mr Hunt said: “The Turnbull government is discussing a genuine and generous multi-billion-dollar increase to the states and territories for hospital funding through until 2025. We look forward to a constructive discussion with the states and territories, beginning this week at COAG.

“As part of a new long-term agreement, the commonwealth is committed to continuing record and growing funding for Australian hospitals. Every year would be a record funding amount, in each and every state and territory. This means more doctors, more nurses and, importantly, more services and support for Australian patients.

“The Turnbull government is already investing record amounts in hospital funding to the states and territories, ensuring that Australians continue to have access to a world-class health system.

“Last year, federal, state and territory health ministers agreed on areas for long-term reform in relation to this agreement at the COAG Health Council.

“Total funding under the current National Health Reform Agreement is growing from $13bn under Labor in 2012-13 to $23bn under the Coalition in 2020-21.

“This a funding increase of 73 per cent and already this is delivering more doctors, more nurses and importantly more services and support for Australian patients.”

NSW government sources have told The Australian there is an expectation that the governments will agree to consolidate 21 existing health agreements — worth $20bn — into one National Health Agreement.

Under the current model, ­bureaucrats waste valuable resources and countless hours negotiating duplicative agreements.

Currently there are about 70 agreements covering everything from pest control, school fences to more substantive matters such as health funding.