STRENGTHENING MEDICARE: LABOR DELIVERING HEALTH AND AGED CARE PLAN FOR THE TERRITORY

Anthony Albanese and Labor are building the Northern Territory's future, today unveiling Labor's Health and Aged Care Plan for the Territory.

The new plan will deliver a record amount of new health and aged care funding for the Territory.

We will invest up to 10.1 million to CareFlight to purchase a plane to support medical evacuations and transportation in the Top End. Patients in very remote NT do not have reliable access to timely emergency medical retrieval services, especially during the wet season. This plane would provide emergency retrievals and care for up to 700 patients a year;

This is on top of what the Albanese Labor Government is already delivering in health;

• Delivering 25 next year - providing important cost of living relief on top of the 50 billion from public hospitals and tried to end bulk billing with a fee for every GP visit.
  
  The decision to allocate 560 million towards hospitals in the Northern Territory and today our new health and aged care plan will build on this record investment.
  
  "If re-elected, we will purchase a new plane for CareFlight and build a new aged care facility in Darwin."
  
  Quotes attributable to Health Minster Mark Butler:
  
  "Territorians know only an Albanese Labor Government will continue to strengthen Medicare.
  
  "Labor has delivered eight Medicare Urgent Care Clinics for the Territory, cheaper medicines and we've delivered the largest hospital funding increase in the country for Territory hospitals.
  
  "When Peter Dutton was Health Minister he cut almost 60 million investment in partnership with an aged care provider to support the delivery of a brand new, 120-bed, quality residential care home for the Darwin region."
  
  Quotes attributable to Member for Solomon Luke Gosling:
  
  "The investment for aged care in the Territory is a welcome one, we've already delivered for Territorians in the past, and this builds on that.
  
  "The Albanese Labor Government strengthening healthcare across the entire life of a Territorian, whether it be free vaccines for mums and bubs, more bulk billing for all Territorians, or a strong aged care system for older Territorians.
  
  "These are welcome investments that I know Territorians will benefit from - no matter where you live."
  
  Quotes attributable to Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory CEO Dr John Paterson:
  
  "The Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) welcomes the Albanese Government's Health and Aged Care Plan for the Territory.
  
  "The record investment in health and aged care presents a significant opportunity for meaningful progress. It demonstrates a genuine willingness to act-particularly in critical areas such as aged care and youth mental health, which are vital to improving long-term outcomes for Territorians.
  
  "The Urgent Care Clinics are easing pressure on hospitals, reducing medivac arrangements, and strengthening the capacity of overstretched primary care services. The more care we can provide within local communities, the better the outcomes. Initiatives like these support culturally safe, community-based care that keeps people closer to home and their families.
  
  "We commend the Albanese Government for its commitment to health in the Northern Territory."
  
  FRIDAY, 11 APRIL 2025
  
  MEDIA CONTACT:
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