Labor admits to health cuts as regional Victorians snubbed

The Allan Labor Government has admitted health services will suffer a funding cut, in a cruel blow to regional patients and communities.

Minister for Health, Mary-Anne Thomas, confirmed at least 20 health services across Victoria will have their funding slashed – reportedly by up to 30 per cent.

It comes as the Allan Labor Government continues to progress its plan to forcibly merge health services which will lead to a loss of services and job cuts.

Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland, who is also Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Health, said regional Victorians continue to be snubbed and deserved to learn full details of looming cuts and mergers.

“Labor has painted the picture that local hospitals are losing money due to inefficiencies and a poor allocation of resources, and that hospital operations are to blame,” Ms Cleeland said.

“This couldn’t be further from the truth. The reality is the Labor Government has never provided enough funding for the hospitals to succeed.

“The current funding level is just barely enough to cover wages and basic expenses such as food and medicine and has suffocated hospitals and left them unable to replace equipment that had reached the end of its life or recruit more staff when necessary.

“No more secrets. It is time for Labor to fully detail how these latest cuts will impact services and regional Victorians.

“In my electorate, we’re experiencing the devastating impact of hospital mergers in Seymour and Benalla which is resulting in the loss of local health services and jobs.

“It has demoralised staff and led to the centralisation of management away from our local towns.

“Labor can’t manage money, can’t manage our health system and regional Victorians are paying the price.”

Ms Cleeland’s website now has the option to send a pre-written letter directly to the Minister for Health, calling for the Labor Government to keep their “hands off our hospitals”.

To get involved, please visit Email the Health Minister about our Hospitals – Annabelle Cleeland MP