Anthony Albanese to face demand for $5bn hospital boost at first national cabinet meeting

State and territory leaders also want the prime minister to address labour and skills shortages following the pandemic

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The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, will face state demands for an immediate $5bn funding boost for public hospitals and calls to do more on skills shortages at his first meeting of national cabinet.

The meeting with state and territory leaders on Friday will be held as the country faces a deepening energy crisis that saw the regulator shut down the wholesale electricity market on Wednesday for the first time.

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