The Council for the Australian Federation (CAF) met in Brisbane on 27 April 2023 and had a productive discussion about opportunities to work collaboratively across the Federation to deliver better outcomes for all Australians.
Health Reform 
CAF reaffirmed its commitment to national health reform as its top priority and agreed that laying the foundations for long-term reform should continue to be a primary focus for National Cabinet for the remainder of 2023.
The growing pressures on the current system can only be alleviated through long-term system-wide structural reform that provides solutions to address system barriers to quality, timely and affordable healthcare for the community.
Premiers and Chief Ministers affirmed their intent to partner with the Commonwealth in this effort, and to seek a special National Cabinet meeting dedicated to National Health Reform in the second half of 2023.
CAF welcomed the immediate actions the Commonwealth has identified to deliver tangible improvements to primary care as work continues towards a shared long-term vision and agreed to complementary state and territory actions which will also take the pressure off GPs and alleviate the GP access issues Australians are experiencing.
This includes supporting health practitioners like pharmacists, nurses, and paramedics to work to the top of their skill level. States and territories will also support best-practice multi-disciplinary team-based care in any stated-funded primary care sites.
National Disability Insurance Scheme
CAF agreed the importance of ensuring the National Disability Insurance Scheme is sustainable so that it can continue to deliver better outcomes for those people living with disability who need supports. Premiers and Chief Ministers reaffirmed that the Scheme should continue to be guided by the principle of reasonable and necessary supports, and choice and control, for those who need them. CAF noted that First Ministers, with the support of Disability Ministers and Treasurers, should oversight work on the NDIS sustainability framework to ensure people with disability continue to receive the supports and services they need from the Scheme.
Other CAF Priorities
CAF noted that work continues towards its other key priorities for 2023 of skills reform, including skilled migration, and early intervention for young people at risk, with opportunities to work collaboratively with the Commonwealth through National Cabinet in both areas.
