Healthcare top priority
MEDICARE was implemented on February 1, 1984, yet in its 38-year history, it failed to support regional communities as it was designed.
Although hospitals are the State Government’s responsibility to manage, the Federal Government controls Medicare, influencing expenditure.
It is abhorrent that regional hospitals are not fully Medicare funded while suburban hospitals are.
Regional citizens have an equal right to attend an emergency department the same as those in high density areas.
“Urgent care” is subsidised by Medicare, however, after visiting an “urgent care” centre you will receive an invoice in the mail.
There should be no “us and them” in Australian hospitals.
I will work for the citizens of Mallee to have better funding for hospitals in the Mallee.
Healthcare in Australia should be fair for all, not just those in the cities.
This problem is not simply isolated to the emergency departments but extends to elective surgeries.
There are limited surgeries that are performed in regional hospitals and the hospitals in the cities have long waiting lists.
Properly funded regional hospitals can ease the burden across the state, this will save lives, create jobs and support our community.
These changes will not happen without Independent pressure; the major parties are happy with the status quo.
Since the pandemic ended, the waiting lists for elective surgeries have continued to grow.
I can work to make this change for you.
Claudia Haenel
Independent for Mallee
False promises
I DON’T know about other people, but I am sick and tired of the lies and false promises made at each election by the two major parties.
Rural people have been copping the reduction and withdrawal of services for decades, the state of some rural roads in Australia is deplorable and health services are getting worse or are simply not there.
We are a vibrant, wealthy nation, and we must expect more from the people we elect.
We are seeing a rise in the number of independents and that will continue as more and more of us change our voting pattern.
Northern Victoria and the Southern Riverina look very productive with the wet weather and irrigation water, what a pity that will all change again in a few short years.
Short sightedness, greed and avaricious bureaucrats and politicians have changed our landscape forever.
Peter Gilmour
Cobram, Victoria
Consider your vote
AS the federal election looms, I urge you all to seriously consider how you will vote.
A vote is a powerful tool. If, over the last few years, you have felt concerned about where Australia is heading, express that in your vote.
Don’t, I beg you, vote the way you always have, out of habit.
Ask yourself: has our federal MP, Ann Webster, done anything to deserve your support? If not, give an independent candidate a go.
With climate change, with declining wages, with floods and bushfires, on women, with COVID, with refugees, on corruption and personal integrity, her Coalition Government has failed us miserably.
Use your vote to tell our MP how you feel.
Choose your preferences carefully.
If you want to send a message to Ann Webster, put her last on your ballot paper.
That is the only position in which she cannot get your support.
If you put her anywhere but last, the distribution of preferences will almost certainly give her your vote.
Janet Field,
Swan Hill
