THE federal National Party has committed to backing a new tertiary hospital expansion in Mildura, if the Coalition is successful at this month’s state election.
Party leader David Littleproud visited Mildura on Wednesday to announce the commitment alongside Nationals candidate for Mildura Jade Benham and Member for Mallee Anne Webster.
Earlier this year, the state Liberal Party committed to building a new $750 million hospital in Mildura if elected into government.
Mr Littleproud said the party would back this commitment at a federal level and push to expand the facility into a tertiary teaching hospital.
He also said the implementation of health training in Mildura was essential to help staff the hospital and fix Mildura’s health crisis.
“The statistics are pretty clear. If you train health professionals in regional and rural areas, 40 per cent of them will stay,” he said.
“And if you give them the world-class facilities that they deserve and need, then that hopefully will build on that number even more.”
Mr Littleproud said Mildura deserved better health care and bringing health workers to the region was the first step.
He said local people shouldn’t have to leave the area to receive care.
“We heard from an elderly lady who, because of her husband’s health condition, can’t get help in Mildura,” Mr Littleproud said.
“She is going to have to leave (Mildura) after a lifetime. They are not the choices people should have to make.”
Mr Littleproud and Dr Webster said they would continue to push for Mildura to receive a teaching wet lab even if the Coalition does not win government at the state level.
“I have met with the both minister Mark Butler, who is the Health Minister, and I have also met with Jason Claire, the Minister for Education, and driven home to those ministers … how incredibly important this project is for Mildura and surrounds,” Dr Webster said.
“We are a tristate health centre here, we are not funded to be a tristate health centre.
“So much more investment needs to occur, not just new buildings but the workforce.”
Mr Littleproud said he would continue to push the Federal Government for better HECS incentives that would bring more doctors and allied health workers to regional areas.
