Opposition challenged to support program to deliver Queenslanders an 187,000 extra dental consultations

Health Minister Stephen Robertson today challenged the State Opposition to support a $52.8 million Commonwealth program to deliver Queenslanders an extra 187,000 dental consultations.

Mr Robertson told State Parliament today Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg had displayed a lack of leadership by his failure to demand that his Federal counterparts stop blocking the passage of the Commonwealth’s dental health program that promises lasting benefits for the dental health of Queenslanders.

“I am calling on Lawrence Springborg to show some leadership and in the spirit of bipartisanship call for his Liberal and National Party colleagues to stop blocking valuable health dollars coming to Queensland to expand our dental health programs,” Mr Robertson said.

“Here’s the chance for the Opposition Leader to demonstrate he will do the right thing by Queenslanders.”

Mr Robertson said the Rudd Government’s Commonwealth Dental Health Program had been set to deliver Queensland a $52.8 million cash injection over three years.

“But Mr Springborg’s colleagues in the Federal Liberal and National Parties are refusing to support the program by blocking the savings that would pay for it, denying eligible Queenslanders an extra 187,000 dental consultations and treatments,” Mr Robertson said.

“Blocking this program will continue to limit Queensland Health’s ability to provide extra services and address prioritisation and waiting list issues, particularly in rural and remote areas.

“This is the first time in over a decade that a federal government is putting real dollars into dental health care since the Howard Government cancelled the former program in 1996.

“That’s why I have written to Queensland Coalition Senators to express my grave disappointment that they have chosen party politics over the welfare of deserving Queenslanders.

“It’s time for Mr Springborg and his LNP colleagues to stop politicking and get behind this important program.”

Mr Robertson said Queensland provided the most comprehensive public oral health service in Australia, with over 1.9 million people (or 48.1% of the total Queensland population) eligible for care.

“In 2007/08 the State Government invested a record $145 million on public dental services,” Mr Robertson said.

“We still face challenges in providing public dental services to deserving Queenslanders, particularly in rural and regional Queensland, due to a nationwide shortage of dentists.

“The Bligh Government is working hard to tackle this workforce shortage, by increasing our number of graduate dentists and establishing a new Dental School at James Cook University in partnership with the Commonwealth.

“We have revised and expanded the Rural Scholarship Scheme for dentistry, and we have also committed to increasing capacity through the capital upgrade of several rural dental facilities in Central and Northern Queensland in 2008/09.

“However, our efforts require the support of the Commonwealth Government.

“By siding with his federal colleagues and failing to call them to account for their obstructionist policies, Lawrence Springborg is once again failing the people of Queensland.”

MEDIA: Martin Philip 3225 2680 or 0407 675 008