Wednesday, 31 May 2023

Ministers statements: priority primary care centres

Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Health Infrastructure, Minister for Medical Research) (14:12): I rise today to update the house on how the Andrews Labor government is making primary health care more affordable for more Victorians. It is tough enough when a loved one is sick and needs treatment. It is even worse when it is difficult to find an appointment with a GP and even harder to find one that still bulk-bills. Top-quality primary care should be the first port of call when we are sick, but after almost a decade of neglect from the former federal Liberal–Nationals governments it has never been harder to find free, fast and local Medicare. That is why our government has stepped up to deliver a network of priority primary care centres right across Victoria to ensure that Victorian families have access to free primary care when they need it most.

I am proud to advise the house that we now have two dedicated priority primary care centres for kids, one at the Monash Children’s Hospital and one at the Royal Children’s Hospital. Operating at night and over weekends, the priority primary care centre at Monash Children’s has already seen over 800 patients, ensuring that sick kids get the right care at the right time, with no unexpected costs for their families. The Royal Children’s priority primary care centre has also been designed to work as one with the emergency department at our state’s busiest, biggest children’s hospital.

Thanks to further investment by our Andrews Labor government in last week’s budget, our network of priority primary care centres has been funded for the rest of this year. We will work with the Commonwealth, as we have already done, on the delivery of their urgent care centres. We will work to continue to save families money. Might I say, while we are fighting for Victorians to access free health care, those on the other side are just fighting. (Time expired)

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The Manager of Opposition Business is warned.