NATIONAL HEALTHCARE AGREEMENT

57 Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (1 June 2010). What are the details of the new arrangements between the Health Care Agreement and the National Partnership Agreements through the Council of Australian Governments?

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Southern Suburbs, Minister Assisting the Premier in the Arts): I am advised:

The National Healthcare Agreement (NHCA) commenced on 1 July 2009 and replaced the previous Australian Health Care Agreements, in addition to the Public Health Outcomes Funding Agreement and other public health funding, as well as funding for service delivery for essential vaccines and youth health services. The NHCA relates to the various health-related National Partnership Agreements in that it contains specific long term objectives and overarching principles agreed by the Commonwealth and the States and Territories relating to issues such as Indigenous health, prevention and aged care.

The National Partnership Agreements are generally time-limited reform agreements, whilst the NHCA is an ongoing agreement subject to periodic review. Every National Partnership Agreement will be subject to review at the relevant cessation date and, if agreed they should be continued as ongoing arrangements following these reviews, may be rolled into the NHCA.