For the past three years, I’ve heard a consistent message from families and residents of all ages: we need better access to healthcare in our community.
I’ve spoken with parents who can’t find a bulk-billed GP appointment for their children, locals travelling over an hour to access an emergency room and seniors facing onerous waits for essential home care supports.
I am proud to have fought for our region in Parliament, highlighting the unfair delays elderly residents are facing in receiving their home care packages and leading our petition for a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in the Yarra Ranges.
Our petition and constant pressure worked.
In this last sitting of Parliament, the government was compelled to release a further 20,000 new home care packages to support older Australians who have been left waiting for far too long.
Labor had previously promised to deliver an additional 83,000 home care places from 1 July 2025, but not one new home care package has been released since last financial year.
The number of elderly Australians waiting to receive care in the home has grown from 87,000 in March to 108,000 in July – not to mention the further 121,000 still waiting to be assessed for help at home under this government.
I’m proud that through our advocacy we have been able to deliver this significant support for older Australians across the country.
It will have a meaningful impact on families here in Casey.
Our campaign for a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in the Yarra Ranges was also successful in getting Labor to listen to our needs.
I recently received confirmation that a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic will be established in Lilydale.
This is a huge win for our community which was only made possible through the thousands of locals who signed our petition and shared their stories.
But while a clinic in Lilydale is a step forward, this location does little to help families in our rural and remote areas who are still left travelling long distances to access healthcare.
Labor’s candidate during the election said on more than one occasion that Healesville would be the location for the Urgent Care Clinic, which has left Healesville and Upper Yarra residents feeling understandably misled.
Together, we have had some great wins.
I will keep pushing for the access to healthcare that our community needs and deserves right across our region – for residents at every stage of life.
