Today's Federal Election pledge by the Coalition of $20 billion for a Regional Australia Future Fund to improve health, childcare and infrastructure inequalities is welcomed by the National Rural Health Alliance (NRHA). It is about time in this election campaign that regional, rural and remote Australia received some focus. These communities are falling further and further behind in many areas which need infrastructure investment, not least of which is support for essential health, aged care and disability services.
"We welcome this announcement by the Coalition and look forward to seeing if Labor matches or indeed, exceeds it. Rural, regional and remote populations make up 30 per cent or 7.3 million people of the country's population. They bring in 70 per cent of Australia's export income through agriculture, minerals, tourism, retail, services and manufacturing, 50 per cent of tourism income, and provide 90 per cent of Australia's food. It is time these communities reap the fruits of their labour by being able to access the quality healthcare they deserve," said NRHA Chief Executive Susi Tegen.
With this pledge, we want all sides of politics to commit to this investment and to prioritise the health of our rural communities. There is a $6.55 billion health underspend each year in rural areas, which results in each rural Australian receiving $848 less on average per year, purely because their postcode is not in the city.
"We continue to advocate for all sides of politics to establish and implement a National Rural Health Strategy under the National Health Reform Agreement to coordinate Commonwealth, State and Territory investment and service delivery for rural Australia Infrastructure is only part of this.
"Rural healthcare doesn't function in isolation. Funding needs to be provided for infrastructure to accommodate the health workforce and those who are training, to come and stay in rural areas. Medical students need to be supported to study in rural areas and rural clinics need to be expanded. Accessing childcare is an enormous issue for health professionals working in rural Australia. We are extremely pleased that this has been touched on in this election pledge.
"For too long, rural communities have had to raise funds to retain medical and health practices in their areas, because Medicare does not cover the cost of services for patients. This is ridiculous when they are already paying their taxes and Medicare levy, the same as urban Australians," said Ms Tegen. We cannot continue to starve our cousins, and uncles and aunts of basic healthcare access.
Rural, regional and remote Australia has worse health outcomes and die up to 13.6 years earlier than those in urban areas. Almost 18,500 Australians still lack access to essential primary healthcare services within an hour's drive from their homes. During this election period, the NRHA calls on all political parties, candidates and voters to focus on healthcare and put your efforts behind targeted approaches and ongoing community-driven solutions to address the unique health access challenges rural communities face.
"We need to recognise rural areas for the economic powerhouse they are. Their contribution is what makes the entire nation healthy despite their daily challenges – be it the cost of living, floods, droughts or fires. Don't make them jump through more hoops or have to beg for equity, when they already lack equitable funding.
"We look forward to more rural funding releases. In the end, it is the right thing to do, whether it is an election or not," said Ms Tegen.
About us:
The National Rural Health Alliance (the Alliance) comprises 53 national organisations committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the over 7 million people in rural and remote Australia. Our diverse membership includes representation from health professional organisations, health service providers, health educators, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector and students.
The Alliance provides a united voice for people and health professionals living and working in rural communities and advocates for sustainable and affordable health services. Our most important role, underpinned by our broad representative base, is listening to the people of rural, regional and remote Australia and taking their views to government.
