NEWLY appointed Federal cabinet minister Sussan Ley says she will advocate for better health services for rural and regional people living in her electorate of Farrer.
Just days into her new role as Minister for Health and as the second female member of cabinet, Ms Ley told The Guardian the needs of residents in the Balranald and Wakool Shire council areas remained paramount.
“I do want to make rural and remote health a priority,” Ms Ley said.
“The most glaring gap when it comes to health is between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. We all want to address that gap and it’s nothing short of disgraceful.
“But there is also a gap between rural and remote Australians and those living in the cities, and we need to bring some focus to that.”
While conceding she had yet to form any clear strategies so early in her term as Health Minister, Ms Ley said a close relationship with the NSW state government was “vital” in addressing issues in the health sector.
“I am looking forward to sitting down soon with the NSW health minister to discuss things,” she said.
Health promotion is also an area that Ms Ley said she hoped to expand for rural Australians.
For more on this story, pick up a copy of Wednesday’s Guardian (December 31).
