KEY DECISIONS OUT OF NATIONAL CABINET
* $1.2 billion package of Strengthening Medicare measures to take pressure off hospitals, including a boost to urgent care clinics
* Commonwealth to increase National Health Reform Agreement contributions to 45 per cent over a maximum of 10 years from July 1, 2025, with an achievement of 42.5 per cent before 2030
* 6.5 per cent health funding cap to be replaced by a more generous cumulative cap over the period 2025-2030 with a first year “catch up” growth premium
* Health ministers to start renegotiation on long-term, system-wide structural health reforms to deliver better services and alleviate pressures on public hospitals
* State and territory NDIS contribution escalation rates to increase from four per cent to be in line with actual scheme growth, capped at eight per cent, with the Commonwealth paying the remainder of scheme costs growth from July 2028
* New NDIS “foundational supports” to be drafted, with rule changes to be phased in after laws go through parliament in 2024, and capped spending to ensure states and territories are better off
* Treasurers to work on details of 50-50 cost sharing arrangements for NDIS
* Extension of the GST “no worse off guarantee” in its current form for three years from 2027/28
* National firearms register in place within four years to address gaps and inconsistencies with the way firearms are managed across states and territories.
Source: AAP
