Qld: Beattie says he'll probably "roll over" on health funding
BRISBANE, Aug 28 AAP - Queensland Premier Peter Beattie today said he would probablybe forced to sign an agreement on hospital funding with the federal government tomorrow.
The state may have no choice but to "roll over" and accept the agreement or be penalisedheavily, Mr Beattie said.
Mr Beattie and Health Minister Wendy Edmond were today making a last-ditch bid formore federal funding, after the ACT signed the deal yesterday.
"The penalties for us are so horrific, I can't afford to lose another $9 million outof the health system, and nor can Wendy - or $146,000 a day," Mr Beattie told reporters.
"So that blackmail is weighing heavily on our minds.
"And yes, the chances are we probably will have to roll over.
"But I'm not prepared to make that decision yet. I'm worried about that."
State and territory ministers will attend tomorrow's Council of Australian Governmentsmeeting in Canberra, with the states arguing that health should be on the agenda.
The states have until August 31 to accept a federal government deal to boost healthfunding by $10 billion to a total package of $42 billion.
AAP rad/sc/ak/jlw
KEYWORD: COAG HEALTH QLD NIGHTLEAD
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