Ministers statement: rural and regional health services
Ms THOMAS (Macedon—Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional Development) (14:30): I rise to update the house on the massive investment the Andrews Labor government is making in the health of regional communities across Victoria in the 2022–23 state budget. Regional Victorians deserve the same quality of care as their city counterparts, but the past two years, we need to acknowledge, have tested health systems right around the world. That is why this year’s budget has responded with a $12 billion pandemic repair plan that will deliver a $3.3 billion healthcare investment across regional Victoria. Now, this investment includes delivering the Barwon women’s and children’s hospital for Geelong’s rapidly growing population, building three new public sector residential aged care facilities in Camperdown, Mansfield and Orbost, planning to redevelop the Bright and Heywood aged care facilities, constructing an alcohol and drug rehab facility in Mildura and delivering a 10-bed early parenting centre in Shepparton to support families with children in those critical years up to four years of age. And of course we are investing to continue palliative care in rural and regional communities.
That is not all. Our budget continues to invest in our flagship Regional Health Infrastructure Fund, with a further $300 million invested in this fund for projects across rural and regional health services. Since the fund began in 2016 we have supported over 480 projects in every corner of the state, and I might say, Premier, it was fabulous to have you in Kyneton recently opening the $9.6 million healthy community hub.