PASIN TO HOLD COMMUNITY HEALTH FORUM WITH HEALTH MINISTER

Member for Barker Tony Pasin will host the Federal Minister for Health, the Hon. Greg Hunt MP in Mount Gambier later this month.

The Minister is coming to Mount Gambier at Mr Pasin’s invitation for a community health forum on the evening of 27 February 2019.

“Better health care has been a priority for our Government. Immunisations are at the highest rate on record, we’ve listed over 1,900 medicines worth almost $10 billion on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, and we are doubling public hospital funding compared to Labor, increasing funding from $13.3 billion in 2012-13 to $23.4 billion in 2020-21 (a 76% increase), more Australians are now seeing their doctor without having to pay and we’ve invested over $175 million in MRI licences – one of which I delivered for Mount Gambier.

“I know that health care is an important issue in the Limestone Coast, and that there is more work to do.

“Thanks to good economic management our Government has brought the Federal budget into a position where we can invest for the future for better health and education outcomes. I’ve invited the Federal Minister to Mount Gambier so he can hear directly from the Limestone Coast community about the health priorities for our community, including support for drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

“I know alcohol and other drug abuse is an issue for the Limestone Coast and it is something I’ve been speaking about to the Minister for a long time. My advocacy has seen Mount Gambier receive funding for one of the first Local Drug Action Teams in the country, the Good Sports Program rollout across the region and Focus One set up a dedicated office in Mount Gambier. These initiatives are small but very important parts of a larger drug action strategy.

“I encourage members of the community to come along and have your say about the health priorities for the Limestone Coast,” Mr Pasin said.

Contact: Charlotte Edmunds  8531 2466