Media Releases My electorate office distributes information which is important to the Southport electorate in particular, and the Gold Coast in general. This information goes to the print and electronic media, however due to space or time constraints it doesn’t always get printed or broadcast. Through my website however, you can access all news stories which emanate from my office and thus keep up-to-date with State Government issues relating to Southport.
Queensland Building a better a Health System without Tony Abbott |
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| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Aug 25 2006 |
| Media Releases >> |
Queensland is building the best health system in Australia without Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.
Mr Robertson said the Beattie Government was getting on with the job with a $9.7 billion Health Action Plan while Mr Abbott sat on his hands and tried to play a political heavy for the Queensland Liberals.
"Mr Abbott today came into town quick to criticise our public health system after the Howard Government's dropped the ball for so many years," Mr Robertson said.
"What he doesn't like to tell Queenslanders is that we've been paying the price for their complete lack of planning and failure to supply Australians with enough doctors and nurses.
"Today Mr Abbott referred to how busy the Gold Coast hospital was this week.
"It's busy because thousands of people simply can't see a G.P. on the Gold Coast - a Howard Government responsibility.
"Their only option is to visit our emergency departments."
Last September, Mr Abbott admitted the Howard Government's failure on the Gold Coast when he told reporters:
"We don't have enough doctors in Australia generally. We certainly don't have enough doctors here on the Gold Coast. . ."
Mr Robertson said the State Government was tackling the lack of Australian-trained doctors in Queensland by funding 235 medical students on the Gold Coast out of its own pocket.
"The Premier also successfully lobbied for more medical places at our universities this year," he said.
"Through our Health Action Plan, our hospitals are recruiting more and more doctors and opening more and more beds so we can treat more and more patients.
"Meanwhile Mr Abbott throws up his hands and gives up.
"He admitted earlier this year that he saw lengthening waiting lists as a way to control expenditure.
"He told the Australian Financial Review: 'cost and queues is what ensures that services aren't overused. So hospital waiting lists and payments are a necessary part of the system' (1 June 2006).
"Instead of trying to prop up his state counterparts, Mr Abbott should stop using patients as a political football."
Last changed: [PUBLISHED_DATE] at 4:49 PM
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