Labour claims Health Minister Simeon Brown has repeatedly overstated health funding, citing $16.68 billion over three years when the actual figure is half that at $8.4 billion.
According to Labour's health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall, the minister should be referring to spending over multiple government budgets, not three years. The Government's underfunding has resulted in healthcare cuts and increased costs for patients, including higher GP fees and prescription costs. Labour argues that front-line staff are bearing the brunt of these cuts, with patient care suffering as a result.
"This is rich coming from a government that delights in calling others financially illiterate but can't read their own budget," Verrall said. The minister's mistake highlights concerns over the Government's ability to manage healthcare funding effectively.