Australian Commonwealth and Queensland Governments sign public health funding agreement

The Commonwealth and the Queensland Government have renewed their commitment to public health in Queensland by agreeing to sign a further five year Public Health Outcome Funding Agreement for the period 2004-09.

Commonwealth Health Minister, Tony Abbott, and Queensland Health Minister, Gordon Nuttall, today signed an agreement to provide a Commonwealth contribution of $154.5 million over five years for important public health activities in Queensland.

The Agreement provides funding for a range of public health issues, including: HIV/AIDS and related sexually transmissible and blood borne diseases; women's health, including breast cancer and cervical screening; the misuse of licit and illicit drugs with a focus on tobacco and alcohol misuse; and reproductive and sexual health. The Queensland Government will have greater flexibility to address local needs and priorities within these broad categories, while still ensuring support for relevant services.

"The two previous Public Health Outcome Funding Agreements, operating since 1997, have demonstrated the commitment of the Australian and Queensland governments to jointly fund and improve public health in Queensland," the Ministers said.

"The renewal of the agreement for a further five years demonstrates our continuing commitment to maintain the gains we have made in public health and to work together into the future to address new public health problems as they arise".

Mr Abbott said that agreement has followed detailed negotiations between the two Governments.

“Continuing action to prevent ill-health and improving overall health for Queenslanders, and indeed for all Australians is a priority that overrides the inevitable political differences of Commonwealth-State relations.” Minister Abbott said.

Minister Nuttall added: “I am pleased that the Commonwealth has recognised the health implications of the increase in Queensland's share of the Australian population, and I am looking forward to continuing the constructive partnership with the Commonwealth on public health".