Healthcare workers
Mr J BULL (Sunbury) (09:45): It was absolutely fantastic to see the Premier and the Minister for Health announce a $270 million boost to our healthcare system on Sunday that will see more than 17 000 nurses and midwives recruited and trained as part of a massive hiring and upskilling initiative. More than 10 000 students will have the cost of their nursing or midwifery undergraduate studies paid for with scholarships for those, and thousands more who complete postgraduate studies in areas of need, including intensive care, cancer care, paediatrics and nurse practitioner specialties. This is an outstanding announcement, and it is all part of the $12 billion pandemic repair plan, bringing those numbers of nurses and midwives being supported right through the system to over 20 000. It is all about making sure that we are providing a healthcare system that is terrific for our community.