The two-day COAG meeting was a very constructive and collaborative meeting that was aimed at solving problems rather than picking fights.
The cuts imposed on the states in last year’s federal budget were discussed and there was recognition that this has left the states with a significant funding shortfall into the future.
It was also agreed that more durable funding arrangements are needed.
While COAG agreed, and we support, the need for a broad community debate about potential tax reform options, our position regarding the GST has not changed. We support the current arrangements. Nor do we support increasing income tax via a higher Medicare levy.
But as both the Treasurer and I said before the Retreat, the debate needs to be about not only revenue, but also expenditure. As part of this, I am pleased that Tasmania, along with Victoria, will take a lead role in examining ways to improve our health system.
The proposal to see a truly patient-centric health system, where funding follows the patient via Medicare, rather than simply being delivered in a block grant to hospitals, has the potential to revolutionise our health system, bringing vastly improved coordination and greatly improved outcomes.
These proposals align directly with our own One Health System changes, which are all about getter better outcomes for Tasmanians.
Other suggested changes in education, training and housing also offer significant potential benefits to Tasmania.
Briefings and discussions today on terrorism, Ice and family violence, were very informative and demonstrated a shared national commitment to tackle these challenges. Our own Family Violence Action Plan is well under development and remains on track for release in mid-August.
Will Hodgman, Premier
