Statistics released today by the Rudd Government show that Victoria is well behind most other states and territories in spending on critical public health services.

Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing David Davis said a new report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare showed Victoria’s estimated total government expenditure per person on public health activities of $98.50 is the second-lowest of all Australian states and territories. 

 The Public health expenditure in Australia, 2007-08 report also showed:
• Victoria’s per person expenditure on communicable disease control is the lowest in Australia at $9.53;
• Victoria’s per person expenditure on organised immunisation is the second-lowest in the nation at $32.60;
• Victoria’s per person expenditure on environmental health (sanitation, drinking water quality, food safety, disease control and housing conditions) is also the second-lowest in Australia at $2.64;
• Victoria’s per person expenditure on food standards and hygiene is again the second-lowest in the country at $1.48;
• Victoria’s per person expenditure on screening programs (breast cancer, cervical and bowel cancer screening, designed to identify disease early, enabling earlier intervention and the reduction of mortality and morbidity) is the third-lowest in Australia at $13.70; and
• Victoria’s per person expenditure on the prevention of hazardous and harmful drug use (which includes alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs) is the second-lowest in the nation at $8.34.

 “Properly targeted public health spending can save taxpayers’ money by preventing illness and death and Victoria should be leading the pack with targeted public health spending,” Mr Davis said.

 

“It is staggering that these figures are so bad after ten years of Labor in power and more than $300 billion in revenue.

 

“Victoria’s health system has crumbled into crisis over the last ten years and is undermined by inadequate spending and deliberately manipulated public hospital data.

 

“Victoria needs to take public health and environmental health spending seriously, and it is clear that after ten years in government, John Brumby has run out of excuses.

 

“It is clear from the damning evidence in today’s report that the Brumby Government’s obsession with spin over substance is adversely affecting the health and wellbeing of Victorians,” Mr Davis said.