Wednesday, 1 April 2026

 Emma KEALY (Lowan) (14:40): (1598) My question is to the Minister for Health. Many residents in my electorate of Lowan must travel hundreds of kilometres to Melbourne, Ballarat or Geelong to access essential health care. With little access to public transport, they have no choice but to drive. The Victorian patient transport assistance scheme has failed to keep up with soaring fuel prices. I am hearing from constituents who are delaying or even skipping medical appointments because they simply cannot afford the trip. This is the cruel and harsh reality of the fuel crisis feeding into a cost-of-living crisis and then a medical crisis. When will the government increase VPTAS payments so regional Victorians can access the care they need?