CATHERINE KING MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND MEDICARE
MEMBER FOR BALLARAT
JASON CLARE MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR RESOURCES
AND NORTHERN AUSTRALIA
MEMBER FOR BLAXLAND
BELINDA HASSAN
CANDIDATE FOR DAWSON
FEDERAL LABOR ANNOUNCES FULL FUNDING FOR
BOWEN HOSPITAL CT SCANNER
A Shorten Labor Government will fully fund the $9.6 million required for a CT scanner and a purpose-built room at the Bowen Hospital.
The Shadow Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Jason Clare, joined Labor’s candidate for Dawson, Belinda Hassan, in Bowen to make the funding commitment.
“The funding commitment for a CT scanner and purpose-built room at the Bowen Hospital means that patients living in Bowen who need a CT scan will no longer have to travel all the way to Proserpine Hospital to receive treatment,” Mr Clare said.
“The LNP member for Dawson attempted to hoodwink residents of Bowen when he recently made a funding commitment of roughly only half of what is required to deliver a high-quality CT scanning facility.
“Now the LNP member for Dawson will try to pass the buck, as he always does, and blame someone else for why his commitment isn’t fully funded, but the simple fact is when you’re a part-time MP you get part-time results.
“The Herald Sun has reported that in 2016 and 2017, the LNP Member for Dawson spent more time overseas than he did at Parliament in Canberra. If he had of spent more time working for his community rather than holidaying overseas, maybe Bowen Hospital would already have a CT scanner.
“Federal Labor’s commitment here today is the result of unrelenting advocacy by Belinda. If she can achieve this in only a few months, imagine what she can do in three years.”
Labor’s candidate for Dawson, Belinda Hassan, welcomed the funding commitment and said it would make a huge difference for residents in Bowen.
“When you talk to residents who’ve been forced to travel more than 130 kilometres to access a CT scan at Proserpine Hospital, you really do realise what an incredible difference this investment will make in Bowen,” Ms Hassan said.
“This is just another example of the current member for Dawson dragging his heels on a really important local issue.”
“The people of Bowen and Dawson want and expect high quality healthcare services and only Federal Labor will ensure their healthcare services are properly funded.”
“In contrast, the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government has cut $3.7 million for hospitals in Dawson over three years, which Federal Labor has committed to more than restoring.”
TUESDAY, 16 APRIL 2019