The latest health budget has been labelled “disappointing” by the Australian Medical Association NT, which warned headline funding increases mask cuts to primary care, remote care, mental health and disease prevention, adding the Finocchiaro CLP Government needs to recognise the health system is in crisis.
AMA NT president Dr John Zorbas told Mix 104.9 on Wednesday the Finocchiaro Government’s $2.56 billion health allocation for 2026–27 gave the impression of growth but failed to deliver meaningful investment where it is most needed.
“So there’s cuts in primary care, there are cuts in remote primary care; especially cuts in mental health and cuts in disease prevention”.
“At a time when we’re facing epidemics all over the country . . . so it’s not a time to be cutting from primary care, and yet, THIS IS WHAT THAT BUDGET DOES”.
What more need be said?
In fact, a great deal more need be said. Our geographic location, isolation. Domestically and nationwide. At a time of high Global unrest and climatic uncertainties together, inevitably locates Health and the costs, dependency . . . of and upon, Health? And there is no evidence cost or preparation yet considered?