A re-elected Albanese Labor Government is strengthening Medicare and building Tasmania's future, today announcing a commitment to invest $8 million to deliver a new healthcare hub for Burnie.
This election is a choice between Labor's plan to keep building and strengthening Medicare, or Peter Dutton's promise to cut everything but your taxes. Only a vote for Labor is a vote for stronger Medicare and lower tax.
The Burnie Health Hub is expected to host a wide range of health services including a general practice, pharmacy, women's health, imaging, pathology, and legal services. It will also provide student training opportunities – boosting the local workforce.
The innovative proposal was developed by local brothers and health professionals, Tasmanian general practitioner Dr Jerome Muir Wilson and pharmacist Jack Muir Wilson, who together will also contribute towards the establishment of the Hub.
Dr Jerome Muir Wilson already has a track record of delivering innovative health services in North Tasmania, as the founder of the Launceston Health Hub.
The Burnie Health Hub has received strong community support, including from local health practitioners, health organisations and government, with letters of support from Family Planning Tasmania, Laurel House, Women's Legal Service Tasmania, Playgroup Tasmania, Tresillian and Burnie City Council.
This commitment builds on the Albanese Labor Government's commitment to delivering free, quality healthcare for Tasmanians. We are:
- Boosting funding to Tassie public hospitals next year by 14 per cent to $754 million, to help cut waiting lists, reduce waiting times in emergency rooms and manage ramping.
- Opening another three Medicare Urgent Care Clinics in Burnie, Sorell and Kingston, building on the five Urgent Care Clinics that have already treated more than 75,000 Tasmanians. This is free healthcare, where all you need is your Medicare card.
- Making the largest investment in Medicare since its creation 40 years ago, so more Australians can see a doctor for free. This will mean an additional 350,000 free GP visits for Tasmanians and boost the number of bulk billing clinics to more than 85.
- Making cheaper medicines even cheaper, with a PBS script to cost no more than $25 next year – providing important cost of living relief on top of the more than $30 million that Tasmanians have already saved from cheaper medicines.
This investment in public healthcare is in stark contrast to Peter Dutton, who was voted the worst Health Minister in Medicare history by Australia's doctors, after he tried to cut $50
billion from public hospitals including more than $1 billion from Tasmanian hospitals, and end bulk billing with a fee for every GP visit.
Consistent with past practice, election commitments will be delivered in line with Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles.
Quotes attributable to the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
"We're building Tasmania's future with better health services and stronger Medicare.
"If re-elected, we will invest up to $8 million to deliver the Burnie Health Hub – an idea with strong local support and from a GP and pharmacist with a proven track record in the North.
"Only Labor is strengthening Medicare, with the largest ever investment in more than 40
years.
"This means more free trips to the doctor, cheaper medicines and more Urgent Care Clinics – where all you need is your Medicare card not your credit card."
Quotes attributable to Health Minister Mark Butler:
"This election is a choice between Labor's plan to keep building or Peter Dutton's promise to cut. Only a vote for Labor is a vote for stronger Medicare.
"Australia's doctors voted Peter Dutton the worst Health Minister in Medicare history for a reason.
"Everything in Peter Dutton's record tells us that he will start by cutting Medicare and he won't stop there. He will cut everything except your taxes."
Quotes attributable to Senator Anne Urquhart, Labor Candidate for Braddon:
"This is an example of local leadership that has brought a great idea to life, and I congratulate Jack and Jerome Muir Wilson for the work they have put into this project. I am very pleased that the Federal Government will be partnering with them and delivering funding to take the Burnie Health Hub from an idea to reality.
"Every conversation I have tells me that affordable and accessible health care is a top priority. Federal Labor's support for this project will help deliver comprehensive health and community services all in the one location, saving time and money, and delivering better outcomes for residents of Burnie."
