Alannah Mactiernan (Perth, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I too would like to invite the Minister for Health to visit Western Australia and see the fantastic work that is being done by the Midland GP superclinic. It is fully operational and has been providing critical services for its local community for almost two years.

The Midland area is a high-growth area on the edge of metropolitan Perth. The community previously had very poor access to GP services. In line with much of the eastern metropolitan area of Perth, it has proven very difficult to attract GPs to that area. The GP superclinic is meeting these needs. GP services are bulk billed until 4 pm each day, and bulk-billing is of course available at all times to those aged under 16, those entitled to Centrelink and pensioner services or DVA card holders. The clinic also provides access to a pharmacy, physiotherapy, Aboriginal health and pathology services.

It is certainly the case that the Midland superclinic is ensuring that this community has access to affordable health care. There are two more GP clinics at Wanneroo and Cockburn that are currently under construction, and we have early services being delivered from Karratha and Northam. We want to know in advance of the election whether or not the funding for these clinics is going to continue. (Time expired)