The Problem
You wait six months for surgery. $1.5 billion in tax revenue subsidises private hospitals through exemptions. They poach staff and let wealthy people jump the queue.
Our Solution
Increase public hospital funding by 30% over 4 years ($3B/year by year 4)
Build 4 new public hospitals in growth corridors: Clyde, Melton, Wyndham, North Melbourne (~$8B over 6 years)
End private hospital tax exemptions unless they treat public patients at public rates (+$400M/year)
Triple elective surgery capacity
Fix ambulance ramping with nurse-led streaming
Federal Fight
We can't expand Medicare to dental/mental health alone - that's federal. But we'll pressure federal MPs relentlessly and build the public case.
First 100 Days
Inject $750 million immediately to public hospitals. Begin procurement for Clyde and Melton hospitals. End private hospital tax exemptions.