Victorian Premier John Brumby has welcomed federal funding for more GPs and says it will help relieve pressure on the hospital system.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced on Monday $632 million to train more than 5000 new doctors.
The funding boost is seen as a sweetener as the government continues to wrangle with the states over hospitals reform.
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Mr Brumby said Victoria would welcome any new health funding that was delivered now.
"Any additional funding which the prime minister is putting on the table which will make a difference now in 2010/11 rather than four years time is a significant step forward and we welcome that," he told reporters.
Funding disputed
The premier argues that the federal government's proposed hospital reforms will not deliver any extra funding to Victoria for four years.
Instead, Mr Brumby wants the government to commit to an equal, 50/50 funding split.
He said that in order to reduce the rising burden on hospitals there needed to be more focus on primary care from local GPs and preventative health.
"What he announced today is actually consistent, I think, with the hospitals package, it will help ensure that more people are treated by their local GP hopefully before they need hospital treatment."
