The budget’s care deficit should concern everyone

Treasurer Jim Chalmers might have framed his 2024-25 budget around a $9.3 billion surplus, but it’s the big care deficit that concerns me.

Australians are a laidback bunch, which means we often take our health for granted. That is, until something goes wrong and then your world changes forever.

Governments are grappling with ambulance ramping, a shortage of hospital beds, an aged care sector bursting at the seams, retirement villages that have historic low vacancies, and unaffordable housing markets. This comes as Aust...