Tuesday, 16 June 2026

 Tim McCURDY (Ovens Valley) (13:23): The Allan Labor government continues to make cuts in the Ovens Valley electorate, this time in allied health. Regional Victoria is walking a tightrope in terms of speech therapists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Gateway Health in Wangaratta was again targeted by the Allan Labor government as they make cruel cuts to these basic services to the people of Wangaratta and the surrounding community that Gateway Health services. Regional people deserve better treatment by this city-centric Allan government, who continue to turn their back on the 25 per cent of Victorians who call the regions home.

More concerns were raised with me last week around the availability of beds for cancer patients in north-east Victoria. The Albury cancer centre is a magnificent facility that services people on both sides of the Murray River. However, I have been contacted by patients who are concerned about the empty beds and the future use of those beds for cancer patients. I urge the Victorian government to work closely with the New South Wales government and ensure adequate funding is in place to ensure all available beds at the Albury cancer centre are being used to support regional people. Regional people deserve the very best of treatment.