Victoria’s Health Minister has gagged hospital CEOs from speaking out about potential funding and service cuts, following Shadow Assistant Minister for Health Annabelle Cleeland’s demand for transparency.
Ms Cleeland wrote to all hospital CEOs in the Euroa electorate, seeking a guarantee that no local funding or services would be cut as a consequence of the government’s Health Services Plan.
Instead of providing clarity, the Minister has silenced hospital leaders, preventing them from addressing growing community concerns.
“The Health Minister’s response is a disgrace—Victorians deserve honesty about their healthcare,” Ms Cleeland said.
“This government is cutting funding and gutting services, yet when I demanded a guarantee that our hospitals wouldn’t be impacted, the Minister’s solution was to gag those who know the truth.”
The revelation comes as the Minister shut down proposals for a new hospital in Albury-Wodonga, sparking outrage in Parliament.
The public gallery—packed with mayors, councillors, and health professionals—erupted in fury, leading to the eviction of all spectators and the suspension of question time.
Tempers flared when the Minister claimed to have been in regular consultation with the community, despite more than 200 people rallying on the front steps of Parliament in protest.
“How can the Minister claim to be listening when the very people affected are standing here, protesting the consequences of her decisions?” Ms Cleeland said.
“Healthcare professionals, local government representatives, and the broader community have made it clear – lives are at risk due to these cuts.
“They have tried to meet with the Minister multiple times, only to be ignored, turned away, and now silenced.”
Ms Cleeland said the question time fiasco reflects Labor’s broader failures in healthcare.
“Labor continues to pretend they’re improving patient care, yet at every turn, they’re slashing funding, shutting services, and abandoning regional Victorians,” she said.
“The community is standing up, fighting back, and demanding better. It’s time for a government that puts regional Victorians first.”
