Ken O’Dowd’s inability to secure a Medicare MRI licence for Gladstone is the latest in his long line of failures when it comes to health.
Federal Shadow Health Minister Catherine King visited Gladstone today at the request of Labor Candidate for Flynn Zac Beers to discuss the region’s health care challenges and Labor’s commitments to health in Gladstone.
Despite the clear evidence that Gladstone needs a Medicare MRI licence – including a bipartisan Senate inquiry that recognised the region as an area of shortage – Gladstone was snubbed in the Liberals’ announcement of new licences last weekend.
“The decision to award public MRI licences to the Gold Coast and Toowoomba, but not Gladstone, is yet another slap in the face for our region from a federal LNP Government that is so out of touch with us”, said Mr Beers.
“The failure of Mr O’Dowd and the Morrison LNP Government to deliver Gladstone a new public MRI license will mean local residents continue to pay higher costs for crucial health care”.
“Unfortunately, this failure is only one part of the LNP’s attack on health care in Gladstone”, said Ms King.
“As Treasurer, Scott Morrison cut almost $1 million from Gladstone Hospital and over $6 million from Central Queensland hospitals between 2017 and 2020 – and now he’s seeking to lock in those cuts for another five years”.
“If that wasn’t bad enough, in one of his first acts as Prime Minister Mr Morrison has doubled down on his attack on Queensland hospitals, seeking to cut further funding for services that hospitals have already delivered”.
In contrast, a Shorten Labor Government will deliver a Medicare MRI licence for Gladstone and more than reverse the Liberals’ cuts to Gladstone Hospital as part of a new $2.8 billion Better Hospitals Fund.
“It’s now clear that only a vote for Labor at the next election will ensure locals can get Medicare-subsidised MRIs right here in Gladstone and no longer have to travel up to Rockhampton´ said Mr Beers.
“Only Labor believes that your health care should be determined by your Medicare card, not your credit card”.
THURSDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 2018