Rural health
As a nurse, midwife and rural health academic researcher, I understand the many health challenges we face in regional Australia.
Delivering healthcare in the regions brings obvious challenges: attracting and retaining a workforce, small populations spread over large distances with long trips to health services. In short, compared with the cities, fewer dollars must stretch further to meet a greater need.
We need to be properly investing in our regional health services, training the local workforce, and supporting new services, especially in mental health. Living in the country shouldn’t mean accepting sub-standard healthcare. And we need to get serious about fixing it.
Read my health issue paper.
Speeches and media
COVID-19 and border closure: we must find a better way [July 29, 2020]
Common sense border change restores health care services [July 26, 2020]
Regional healthcare hit by tightened NSW border permit system [July 22, 2020]
Keeping defence veterans and their families front-of-mind [June 18, 2020]
Dedicated advocacy for rural health [June 17, 2020]
Minister must honour aged care workforce bonus [June 15, 2020]
Indi’s healthcare and helper heroes [June 11, 2020]
For headspace, let’s assure help when it’s needed [June 10, 2020]
Crossbench pair drills COVID impact in fire communities [May 12, 2020]
Survey reveals virus and fire business impacts [May 1, 2020]
JobKeeper scheme a giant leap forward [April 10, 2020]
Coronavirus response crucial, but scrutiny imperative [April 7, 2020]
Letter to Prime Minister supports local health response [April 1, 2020]
Five steps to improve coronavirus stimulus [March 23, 2020]
Stimulus vital but so is consistency [March 23, 2020]
Coronavirus challenges Indi communities [March 23, 2020]
Welcome mental health funding [March 11, 2020]
No care in 14-month Home Care wait [March 3, 2020]
Closing the gap with respect [February 26, 2020]
Supporting paid parental leave [February 25, 2020]
Resilient Walwa, great nurse [February 6, 2020]
Haines welcomes NDIS review [January 24, 2020]
Fast-track for Border health works [January 15, 2020]
Aged care report appalls us all [November 25, 2019]
Home care delivery a priority [October 21, 2019]
First speech [August 1, 2019]