General News
28 September, 2022
Kealy calls for hospital redevelopment
LOWAN MP Emma Kealy has launched a petition calling on the Andrews Labor Government to provide the funding necessary to redevelop the Terang Mortlake Health Service (TMHS) Mortlake campus.
LOWAN MP Emma Kealy has launched a petition calling on the Andrews Labor Government to provide the funding necessary to redevelop the Terang Mortlake Health Service (TMHS) Mortlake campus.
Ms Kealy has circulated a petition calling for the $6.65 million funding commitment after visiting the hospital recently.
“The existing buildings at the Mortlake campus are significantly aged and in urgent need of major works to support the fabulous staff at the TMHS deliver the best possible healthcare to our local people,” she said.
“The local hospital community has done a fantastic job with its redevelopment plan and I am proud to support its request for funding to construct a new, purpose-built community health centre and ambulance station.
“We know that attracting and retaining clinical and support staff is getting harder in regional Victoria, which is one of the many reasons we need to ensure our rural health facilities are first-class.”
Ms Kealy said the State Government failing to fund the project was an example of funding inconsistency between regional and metropolitan Victoria.
“Regional and rural Victoria have been ripped off by Labor for far too long,” she said.
“Last year just 13.4 per cent of the state’s infrastructure spend was directed to rural and regional Victoria, and only 11 per cent theyear before.
“With 25 per cent of Victoria’s population living in rural and regional Victoria, we deserve no less than 25 per cent of the state’s new infrastructure budget.
“If elected to government in November, The Nationals regional infrastructure guarantee will ensure rural and regional Victorians get their fair share of infrastructure funding so projects like the Mortlake campus can become a reality.”
Ms Kealy has encouraged all Mortlake and district residents to sign the petition, which is available at Bates IGA Supermarket, the Mortlake Information Centre and Library and Mortlake Newsagency.
Residents can also request a copy of the petition by contacting Ms Kealy’s electorate office on (03) 5382 0097 or via email emma.kealy@parliament.vic.gov.au.