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NOVEMBER 5, 2021

MEDIA STATEMENT

Helen Haines will lead a community roundtable in Bright on Wednesday to bring together all levels of government to discuss the redevelopment of the Bright Hospital and a new $26 million aged care facility.

The Independent Member for Indi, will be joined by Victorian representatives Tim McCurdy, the Member for Ovens Valley, and Tania Maxwell, the Member for Northern Victoria, in a bid to build a coalition of political support for the much-needed project.

“Since I launched my petition three weeks ago, the response I have received from the Bright community has been overwhelmingly in favour of the new hospital with a high-care aged care facility,” said Dr Haines.

“I’ve worked as a nurse in North Eastern hospitals for decades, I know how much these facilities are needed.”

Together with Alpine Shire Council and Alpine Health, Wednesday’s roundtable will canvass opportunities to secure both State and Federal funding for the project. Dr Haines said she had already received positive feedback on the federal front.

“In the most recent Parliamentary sittings, I had meetings with the Health and Aged Care Minister Greg Hunt and the Aged Care Services Minister Richard Colbeck. I laid out the case for this new facility in Bright and made the pitch for the Commonwealth to chip in substantially.

“It’s early days, but both ministers could see the need, and I’m confident that with enough community action, we can secure the federal investment we need.”

Dr Haines is liaising with Federal Regional Health Minister David Gillespie to visit the Bright Hospital and hear directly from the community, possibly as soon as December.

“Minister Gillespie has graciously accepted my invitation to come to Bright to see first-hand the need for the new hospital and aged care facility. I look forward to hosting him here so we can make the case directly to him for Federal support.”

On Wednesday, Dr Haines will also be holding open public meetings in Bright and Harrietville. Dr Haines will be at the Great Alpine Road in Bright from 12:00 – 1:00pm and in Pioneer Park in Harrietville from 3:00-4:00pm. Members of the public are welcome to come to speak with Dr Haines about any issues.

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