THE Health Minister admitted he has not yet formulated a business case for additional funding ahead of the Budget proposals being unveiled later this month.
During yesterday’s States sitting, Senator Tom Binet reiterated previous comments that additional funding may be needed for his department.
“Given that I consider a first class health service to be an essential component of an attractive place to live, visit, and to invest, I included additional funding for health service.”
He said that the extra money would go towards tackling waiting lists, providing a cancer centre, buying essential equipment, ensuring hospital maintenance and the new health infrastructure programme.
But when pressed by Deputies on how much funding he is seeking and whether the proposals will be included in the Budget, Senator Binet said discussions were ongoing with ministerial colleagues and that he hoped the proposals will be ready in three weeks.
“I don’t have all the answers as a finished proposal at this point in time. I simply have not had enough time to work on them, but I make absolutely no apology for the work that I’m doing, all the suggestions I’m making,” the minister said.
Deputy Coles highlighted that nearly 2,500 people are waiting for an elective surgery and nearly 10,000 people were waiting for diagnostic tests and questioned Senator Binet’s proactivity.
“I do not think there can be a better demonstration of me being proactive than to be saying ‘I want more money for the health service’.”
