Greens candidate, Dr Malcolm Mckelvie, is calling for a root and branch overhaul of Australia’s health system to make it fairer and more efficient. Dr McKelvie believes Gippsland is a classic example of the system being stretched to breaking point.
“Firstly we need to scrap the private health insurance rebate that squanders $3.6 billion. This disadvantages the less well off families, especially those living in rural areas” said Dr McKelvie.
“It makes sense to spend more money preventing problems such as obesity, diabetes, alcohol and smoking related diseases than to spend much more treating the complications later. The current system not only costs more in terms of money but also in disability, early death and poor quality of life for Gippsland residents”.
“The Greens will push to have a network of primary healthcare centres established where you can see your doctor and a range of other health care professionals in the same location. Bringing providers together enhances co-operation and means a more streamlined, efficient service”.
“There are many areas where the public’s taxes could be put to better use” said Dr McKelvie. “Providing Gippslanders with better services for our dental needs, aged care and services for mental health are crucial areas that politicians must not just pay lip-service to before an election”.
