Thursday, 13 November 2025

 Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (12:59): My question is to the Minister for Health, and I raise concerns about the underfunding of essential palliative care services in regional Victoria. Residents have raised concerns about the lack of palliative care beds and services in Northern Victoria, and I read news reports recently about the cuts to palliative care funding and how terminally ill Victorians are being forced onto waiting lists for palliative care or being pushed into overcrowded hospitals, instead of receiving care at home, because of funding shortfalls. Palliative Care Victoria has identified significant gaps in rural funding compared to metropolitan areas, particularly in Loddon Mallee, and found that 62 per cent of people who wanted to die at home were being admitted to hospital instead. A new palliative care adviser has been appointed for six months to refresh Victoria’s end-of-life and palliative care framework. What targets and specific regional funding are being provided to ensure that people in Northern Victoria can access palliative care services when they need them?