Health major priority ahead of NSW election

Less than three weeks before the state election, NSW premier Dominic Perrottet and opposition leader Chris Minns have pledged to funnel money to build more public hospitals and pay for healthcare degrees.

On Sunday, Perrottet said the Coalition would spend $1.2bn to build 20 new hospitals across the state, including $260m to upgrade Concord Hospital, if re-elected in March.

He also reiterated Liberal's commitment to enforce free parking at public hospitals in rural and regional NSW.

"Since 2011, the Liberal and Nationals have delivered more than 180 health infrastructure projects across NSW, with more than 130 projects underway," Perrottet said.

“These critical investments in health infrastructure are only possible thanks to the Liberal and Nationals long-term economic plan to keep our state moving forward.”

Labor opposition leader, Chris Minns, criticised the Liberal's health funding promises, saying it 'only sought to woo voters.'

On Monday, Minns said that Labor would reinvest extra savings into health and education by slashing the state's $1.6bn budget on third-party workers.

Minns also promised earlier this year to install 300 additional beds at Rouse Hill Hospital in Sydney's Northwest over a $700m fund.

"Labor is ready, and this state is ready for a fresh start," Minns said during Labor's official campaign launch in Hurstville on Sunday.

He announced Labor's plans to help 2,000 healthcare students pay for their degree by providing a $12,000 study subsidy.

Nursing, midwifery and allied health students would be eligible if they promise to work in the healthcare sector for at least five years.

"We're committed to bringing skilled people into our healthcare system in NSW," Minns said.

"Labor will make choices to repair our essential services - we'll make tough choices to protect the budget, and we'll choose to end pork barrelling across the state."

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