Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has praised a “co-operative partnership” with Victoria as billions of dollars flow into schools, hospitals and major infrastructure projects across the state.
Speaking in Melbourne alongside Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan on Thursday, Albanese said Victoria had been among the first states to sign up to full and fair public school funding, with Commonwealth money already being delivered.
He also pointed to a newly signed National Health and Hospitals Agreement that will inject an additional $25 billion into the health system over the next five years.
“That funding has started to flow,” the Prime Minister said, highlighting expanded Urgent Care Clinics, the tripling of the bulk billing incentive and cheaper medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Under the changes, most PBS medicines will cost $25, or $7.70 for concession card holders.
Albanese said the reforms were part of a broader effort to strengthen primary health care and ease pressure on families amid ongoing cost-of-living strains.
He contrasted the current arrangements with what he described as years of underinvestment in Victoria by previous Commonwealth governments.
“Victoria missed out for a long while,” he said, noting that at one stage the state received just 8 per cent of national budget spending despite rapid population growth in Melbourne.
Premier Allan welcomed the renewed federal backing, saying it marked a clear shift from “lean years” for the state.
“It makes a real and meaningful difference to Victorians that we’ve got a partner in the Federal Government that doesn’t just understand us, but wants to back this great state.”
The Premier pointed to major joint projects including Melbourne Airport Rail, the North East Link and the Suburban Rail Loop, describing them as critical to supporting the city’s growth as it moves towards becoming Australia’s largest by population.
Beyond infrastructure, Allan said both governments shared a common focus on health, education and cost-of-living relief – from free TAFE places to expanded Medicare services and virtual emergency departments. “Cost of living is real,” she said.
“And cost of living isn’t just money, as real as that is, it’s also time. So how do we ease the pressure? Make it easier to see a GP, saving families time and stress during their days.”
Both leaders emphasised that closer co-operation between Canberra and Spring Street was delivering tangible outcomes for Victorians, with the Prime Minister thanking the Premier for what he described as a strong and productive partnership.
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