SENATE INQUIRY INTO HEALTHCARE COMES TO THE CRADLE COAST

The impact of the Abbott Government’s health policy on the Cradle Coast will be investigated by a Senate Select Committee tomorrow as part of a national inquiry into the health system.

The committee will hold a public hearing at the Burnie Arts and Function Centre to better understand and document the issues facing health providers and families on the Coast.

Senator Deborah O’Neill, Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Health is committed to ensuring that people living in this region have an opportunity to put their voice on the record.

Witnesses include local GPs, who will take part in a discussion round-table, local mental health counsellors, the Tasmanian Branches of the AMA and RACGP and Rural Health Tasmania.

“My committee and I are here to hear from health service providers and community members about the impact of reduced federal funding for GP, hospital and other health services.”

“This government is already cutting $57 billion out of hospitals, while at the same time trying to rip billions of primary care,” Senator O’Neill said.

Despite claiming to have taken the GP Tax off the table, Health Minister Sussan Ley at a press conference in Canberra recently said, “The policy intent was and remains a good one”, which means she still wants to send a price signal to Australians that will prevent sick people from accessing the care they want.

“Labor is deeply concerned about the ongoing attack on universal health care. Witness after witness continues to point out that it is impossible for the States and Territories to cover the massive cuts in their budgets.

“There are genuine fears that the Abbott funding cuts are so severe that states are already finding that they cannot ensure that Australians are able to access the hospital services that they expect and require.” Senator O’Neill said.

To date the inquiry has heard evidence from doctor’s concerned about the uncertain future of Medicare, healthcare providers have detailed serious issues with the Abbott Government’s dismantling of Medicare Locals, and Indigenous workers have outlined the challenges they face in urban and remote Australia.

Labor believes Australians should get the health care they need, not just what they can afford.

“Only Labor will protect ordinary Australian families from the Liberals attempt to wreck Medicare and push up health costs for people already under financial pressure,” Senator O’Neill said.

“We are looking forward to talking with locals and receiving their submissions to document the truth about the impact of this budget on the health and well-being of the people on the Cradle Coast.”

Senator O’Neill said members of the public are invited to attend. Visit

www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Health/Health/Public_Hearings

Hearing details:

Friday, 17 April 2015

Burnie Arts & Function Centre

Wilmont Street, Burnie

9.20am: Hearing commences.

10.30am: Morning break

Senate Select Committee on Health – First Interim Report is available at http://www.aph.gov.au/~/media/Committees/Senate/committee/health_ctte/first_interim_report/report.pdf
DEBORAH O’NEILL Senator for New South Wales Chair of the Senate Select Committee for Health