House debates

Thursday, 20 March 2014

Statements by Members

Bendigo Electorate: GP Superclinic

1:33 pm

Photo of Lisa ChestersLisa Chesters (Bendigo, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I join my colleague, the member for Makin, and extend an invitation to the health minister to visit the GP superclinic in Bendigo. The GP superclinic in Bendigo commenced operation on 20 October 2011. Since its opening, it has paved the way for better access for GPs, nurses and allied health professionals to support the health needs of the local Bendigo community. It is an amazing facility and an excellent example of how governments can spend their dollars wisely.

The former Labor government funded the project to the tune of $5 million—an investment in health in my community that would not have happened if Labor had not been in government. The then Labor Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, and the former local Labor federal member for the area, Steve Gibbons, were at the official opening of the new clinic at 123 Arnold Street.

This new clinic was part of Labor's commitment to make it easier for families to see doctors closer to home. Our local Bendigo GP superclinic is looking after the community now and will continue to in the future. It has a partnership with the Monash University Rural Clinical School and also has a partnership with the La Trobe University clinical school, which is training the next generation of doctors and allied health professionals.

The Bendigo GP superclinic provides rapid clinic service, same-day appointments for— (Time expired)