ACRRM and the NRHA are excited and keen to see if Labor will match today’s announcement.
Opposition health spokesperson, Senator Anne Ruston, and the leader of the Nationals, David Littleproud announced today that a Coalition government would invest $100 million towards upgrading regional medical training facilities across the country.
Included is $5 million to deliver 200 additional regional medical Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs), to “fast track more health professionals living and working in regional, rural and remote Australia”.
The announcement is part of a commitment for a new Rural, Regional, and Remote Health Strategy overseen by the National Rural Health Commissioner Professor Jenny May.
“The Coalition supports better rural, regional and remote health care and more GPs for families in our regions,” Mr Littleproud said.
“A future Coalition government will bring more doctors to the regions. We will build on the former Coalition government’s strong record in regional health, developing a comprehensive rural, regional, and remote health strategy, to ensure Australia has a long-term plan to meet the healthcare challenges in these communities.”
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Dr Rod Martin, president of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, praised the announcement and called on Labor to match the Coalition’s commitment.
“Rural health is finally getting the attention it deserves this election, and this Strategy secures a direct pathway into rural generalist fellowship training,” he said.
ACRRM has been advocating for an increase in training places to 500 annually, with the college expected to have 320 under its umbrella in 2026.
“It’s a promising step, but we need a further 180 places to meet projected demand.
“This funding [promise from the Coalition] marks an encouraging step toward a comprehensive, fit-for-purpose training pathway—one that starts earlier and ends with doctors who are highly skilled, confident, and deeply connected to the communities they serve.
“As we head to the polls, we welcome this clear commitment from the Coalition and note that their pledge of 350 places exceeds what has been offered by the Labor government to date.
“We now call on Labor to match or build on this investment in the future rural workforce.”
Senator Ruston said that the additional funding would “kick-start” works to upgrade teaching facilities, laboratories and student accommodation.
“This announcement takes our medical CSP commitment to 350 places because we are committed to growing the pipeline of GPs,” she said.
“The $100 million infrastructure funding will be available to universities and healthcare institutions engaged in medical, nursing and allied health training. Eligible applicants must demonstrate a commitment to training healthcare professionals at their regional facilities or campus.”
The CEO of the National Rural Health Association, Susi Tegen, said the organisation was “excited” by the Coalition’s announcement, particularly the plan to develop a comprehensive rural strategy, led by the National Rural Health Commissioner.
“This is what the NRHA has been calling for over many years,” she said.
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“We are pleased to see this strategy will be developed within the first six months of a future Coalition government, demonstrating urgency and intent.
“We look forward to seeing coordinated efforts to bring together Commonwealth, state and territory investments to finally deliver meaningful improvements in rural health.”
Other election news
Meanwhile, the Greens had the most colourful announcement of the day, promising to make PrEP and PEP prescriptions free for anyone with a script – estimated at about 100,000 Australians.
PrEP and PEP, which significantly reduce the risk of HIV transmission, have been on subsidised by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme since 20187, but the growing gap payment means users are out of pocket hundreds of dollars a year.
The Greens’ LGBTQIA+ spokesperson, Stephen Bates, chose to launch the policy on his brand-new OnlyFans account, following on from his 2022 campaign splash on Grindr.
“You shouldn’t have to pay a fortune to be sexually responsible,” said Mr Bates.
“Ending HIV is too important to fly under the radar. I campaign on OnlyFans and Grindr because it gets attention.
“Sometimes you have to make a splash to make people pay attention to the things that matter.”
Mr Bates’ colleague, and candidate for the seat of Sydney, Luc Velez, called for a dedicated LGBTQIA+ human rights commissioner.
“As we are seeing the right lean into queerphobia and fearmonger about trans bodies and healthcare, a dedicated LGBTIQA+ human rights commissioner will ensure there are always the resources and expertise to defend our human rights,” he said.
Coalition leader Peter Dutton said he wanted the National Disability Insurance Scheme to grow, but he supported efforts by former NDIS minister Bill Shorten to cut out waste and fraud in the scheme.
“I want to see the NDIS sustainable and grow,” said Mr Dutton.
“The rate at which that grows, I think you’d have to take that advice from the department and central agencies about where the cost pressures are.
“I strongly support the NDIS, but it’s with taxpayers’ money growing at a very significant rate.”
Mr Dutton was asked if the Coalition would maintain the 8% growth target for the NDIS.
“We were strong supporters of it — in fact we supported legislation in the last parliament after I approached the prime minister saying we would support legislation to make the NDIS sustainable,” he said.
“So, if there’s waste, if people are ripping off the Australian taxpayer or those participants in the NDIS, that is not expenditure we would support.”
Mr Dutton also committed $6 million to the Alannah and Madeline Foundation to improve online safety for kids.
Mr Dutton also helped pack “buddy bags” to support kids fleeing difficult situations like family violence. The bags include basics like socks and underwear, storybooks, stationery and toys.
She also raised the issue of tech companies failing to protect children online.
Prompted by the mainstream media finally discovering DoHAC’s interim evaluation of urgent care clinics, the Prime Minister doubled down on Labor’s UCC policies and plans.
“I will be going to urgent care clinics for the next two-and-a half weeks and more, and you can talk to people there. Talk to people there about whether they would have ended up in an emergency department,” he said.
Asked if the rapid expansion of the program was justified, before there was “solid evidence” that they were working as intended, the PM said:
“You bet it’s justified.
“We support Urgent Care Clinics and I note that even the Coalition are going to ditch them no doubt, as part of the cuts that they will have to make [to achieve] their $600 billion nuclear plan,” he said.
“I note one of their local members is out there holding up his Medicare card, claiming that they will build another Urgent Care Clinic, in their electorate.”
Boom.
