LTE – Emma Kealy – The Nationals Victoria
Monday 24 June 2024
Dear Editor,
The anger is rising, with hundreds in Yea this weekend attending a rally similar to the wake-up call delivered to the Allan Labor Government by thousands in Mansfield.
Regional Victorians have had enough. Hands off our hospitals.
The government’s plans to slash hospital funding and potentially consolidate Victoria’s 75 public health services into just 12 networks is deeply concerning.
Just as concerning with 25 small regional hospitals being ordered to slash back-of-house costs again by up to 30 per cent.
Labor’s hospital funding cuts couldn’t have come at a worse time.
Nurse EBA negotiations are close to agreement, yet with no certainty of these increases being funded by Labor, CEOs will be left with the impossible choice of cutting staff or cutting local health services.
No one is being fooled by empty Allan Labor Government promises of “no hospital closures.”
The health cutback crisis has also spread to Ambulance Victoria.
Three key executive roles will go, and operating models are set to be overhauled, resulting in more staff cuts.
We all know further cuts will compromise response times and patient care.
In regional areas where every minute counts, this could be a matter of life and death.
Hospitals and ambulance services should be untouchable, yet they are under siege.
The Yea and Mansfield rallies are only the beginning. Next, Alexandra residents will gather in protest against the Allan Labor Government’s health hoax.
We demand to be heard.
Labor can’t manage money and regional Victorians are paying the price.
Emma Kealy MP
Deputy Leader of The Nationals