Morrison budget must reverse hospitals cuts in Central Queensland

The Commonwealth Government has one last chance at the upcoming Federal Budget to properly fund Central Queensland’s Hospitals, ahead of the next Federal election.

Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles is in Rockhampton today, calling on Scott Morrison and Greg Hunt need to reverse their savage cuts to hospitals in Central Queensland. 

“The Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government’s cuts have been brutal for Queensland’s health systems,” Minister Miles said.

“Not only are our hospitals facing increasing demand and treating more people than ever before, they’re also expected to do more with less thanks to the Federal Government.

“We’re just weeks away from the Federal Government’s budget and if they don’t reverse their $316.1 million in cuts they’ll need to explain to Queenslanders why they are cutting funding from hospitals.

“Central Queensland has been particularly hard hit by the LNP’s cuts, with $11 million being ripped out of the Central Queensland Hospital and Health service budget.  

“That’s $11 million to fund surgeries like knee and hip replacements at Rockhampton hospital.

“Michelle Landry and Ken O’Dowd need to lobby their federal colleges to get a fair share for their community.

“If the Prime Minister doesn’t reverse his cuts they’ll have to face up to voters in Rockhampton, Emerald, and Gladstone.”

Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke also called on the Morrison Government to reverse their cuts.

“The Prime Minister needs to reverse these cuts to essential services otherwise our hospitals won’t be able to keep up,” Mr O’Rourke said.

“He needs to explain to people in Rockhampton why he and the LNP have cut funding from Rockhampton Hospital.

“Our hospitals are under pressure and without this crucial funding they may have to cut services or increase wait times.”

Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga said that the Federal Government needed to stop playing games with people in Central Queensland.

“I don’t want to see a single person in Rockhampton stay on a waiting list for a second longer than necessary, but that’s what happens when you cut $11 million from our hospital and others in Central Queensland,” Ms Lauga said.

“We need to make sure these Central Queenslanders are not languishing on a waitlist while the federal government plays games with funding.

“The Palaszczuk Government has had to pick up the slack because the Prime Minister keeps letting us down and changing his mind about funding he promised to us.”

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Media contact: Katharine Wright - 0428 957 903