Thursday, 13 August 2026

 Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:09): (1415) My question is to the Minister for Health. Minister, some health services who are poor performers and in deficit are getting positive transition grants to improve their budget bottom line, whereas other health services who are good performers are receiving negative transition grants. Why are good-performing health services being punished by your government and asked to prop up health services that are struggling to meet budgets and provide services?

 Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ambulance Services, Special Minister of State) (12:09): I thank Ms Crozier for that question. I certainly do not accept the premise of the question. My department works closely with all health services when it comes to developing model budgets and statements of expectation, and I would like to remind the house that our government will remain absolutely committed to making sure that our –

Georgie Crozier: On a point of order, President, I would like some clarity, if I may: does the minister actually understand my question?

The PRESIDENT: That is not a point of order.

Ingrid STITT: As I was saying, there is a thorough process that is not just around budget time in terms of model budgets for health services but is in fact work that continues all year round with health services around the supports that they need to provide the care that Victorians expect. In this year’s budget alone we have record health funding of over $32 billion. Our hospitals are at the heart of that work. Hospitals Victoria, which is a division within the department, works closely with our health services. I want to thank the CEOs and the board chairs for the way in which they are working so well with the department when it comes to making sure that our hospitals have certainty and clarity around the activity that they will be delivering to patients this year and beyond. There is an additional $1.6 billion in this year’s budget for sustainability. I am sure if Ms Crozier takes the time to look at the budget papers and the 2026–27 budget announcements our government has made she will find it very hard to argue that we are not absolutely steadfast in our commitment to our hospitals and our health services right across the state, with $32 billion in this year’s budget alone.

 Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:12): My supplementary: Minister, how many hospitals are currently in deficit and as a result are having to cut services?

 Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ambulance Services, Special Minister of State) (12:12): Again, I think that, Ms Crozier, it is important to understand that there are discussions going on right now with hospitals and health services about arriving at their budgets. That includes carefully analysing the services that will be delivered in each region and in each health service. That work is ongoing, and the department –

Georgie Crozier: On a point of order, President, I would ask you to bring the minister back to my very specific question: how many hospitals are currently in deficit and as a result are having to cut services? It is a very specific question. I would ask you to ask the minister to respond to it accordingly.

The PRESIDENT: I believe the minister is being relevant.

Ingrid STITT: As I was saying, on this side of the house we will continue to invest in health services because we know that Victorians deserve to have world-class care continue to be delivered, no matter where they live. And I reiterate: $32 billion in investment –

Georgie Crozier: On a point of order, President, with 10 seconds to go, I know the minister is trying to spin her way out of this. I would ask you to bring her back to the question: how many health services are currently in deficit and cutting services as a result? That is my question, and I ask you to bring the minister back to respond to it and answer the question.

The PRESIDENT: I think the minister understood the question.

Ingrid STITT: It is clear from that interjection that Ms Crozier does not actually understand how health budgets are arrived at. We will keep focused on supporting our hospital and health services to deliver world-class care.

 Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:14): I move:

That the minister’s responses be taken into account on the next day of meeting.

Motion agreed to.