Government trashes urgent care claim

By Lachlan Ellis

Federal Government MPs have denied claims by the Opposition, which argued Labor had “abandoned its urgent care clinic promise for Hawke”.

Earlier this month, a joint media release from Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care Senator Anne Ruston, and Shadow Minister for Communications Senator Sarah Henderson, argued the Albanese Government had failed to fulfill an election promise on urgent care clinics.

The Liberal Senators said that Prime Minister Albanese had promised to “deliver 50 ‘urgent’ care clinics within the first 12 months in government, including the clinics promised for the electorate of Hawke”.

The Senators state that only three of those 50 urgent care clinics have received Expressions of Interest, with the EOI period set to end on 24 March.

“This is not only another disrespectful broken promise to the Australian people, but it also leaves our hard-working and under-pressure hospital and healthcare staff in an ongoing state of complete uncertainty,” Senator Ruston said.

“First, the Labor Government broke their promise to reduce electricity bills by $275, and then they disregarded their commitment to fund the aged care pay rise in full. Now, they are deferring their signature election promise aimed at supporting state and territory health systems, at a time when we are seeing ramping at an all-time high, concerning levels of deferred elective surgeries, and a crisis in general practice.”

Senator Henderson mentioned Federal MP for Hawke Sam Rae – whose electorate includes Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Melton, and Sunbury – by name.

“Sam Rae promised the people of Hawke an urgent care clinic to take the pressure off emergency departments in our public hospital system as well as hardworking doctors and nurses. This clinic was meant to be up and running within 12 months but has turned into another Labor failure,” she said.

“Mr Rae’s commitment was all headline and no substance – he is not even able to tell us where this clinic will be located…I call on Mr Rae to immediately confirm the location of the urgent care clinic and when it will be delivered.”

In response to Senator Ruston and Henderson’s claims, Mr Rae and Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler, said an urgent care clinic would be established in Hawke, in Sunbury specifically.

“Senator Ruston and Henderson’s comments are wrong and dishonest. After nearly a decade of Liberal neglect, Medicare is the worst shape it has ever been. To see your GP costs more and takes longer than ever,” Mr Rae told the Moorabool News.

“Labor is fixing Medicare. Opening our Urgent Care Clinics – like the one to be opened in Sunbury – is a huge first step. We’re getting on with delivering this important election commitment with EOIs being sought imminently.”

Minister Butler said the Medicare Urgent Care Clinics mean more families in Sunbury will get top-quality care from a nurse or a doctor without having to wait in a hospital emergency department.

“These clinics are a key part of the Government’s plan to strengthen Medicare by making it easier to see a doctor.”

Mr Butler confirmed that all Urgent Care Clinics will be open this year, with EOIs for Victoria to be sought imminently.