Jamie Chaffey (Parkes, National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Agriculture) Share this | Hansard source

Specialised healthcare services in the Parkes electorate are hard to find. When you need life-saving critical care, you need people around you who provide that care. That is exactly what Macquarie Home Stay have been doing since 2019 for the people of regional New South Wales who need to travel to Dubbo to receive medical treatment. People in regional Australia face significant disadvantages when it comes to health care. In fact a 2024 Royal Flying Doctor Service report found that rural and remote residents are almost three times more likely to be hospitalised and 2.7 times more likely to die from potential avoidable causes compared to people in major cities. Added to the shock and stress of medical conditions is the need to travel long distances to find help. This comes with a significant expense for those who often are the ones who can least afford it.

On Saturday night I attended the Outback Hearts masquerade ball in Dubbo, an event that raises money for Macquarie Home Stay. It was a great reminder of what an incredible service this is, providing safe, specifically designed accommodation at a very minimal cost. It's a service that has been realised by a lot of hard work and financial support from communities throughout regional New South Wales. A recent update from Macquarie Home Stay stated that 20.9 per cent of the people relying on their service come from the Walgett Shire, 17.7 per cent come from the Mid-Western Regional Council area, 14.9 per cent come from the Warrumbungle Shire, 14.7 per cent come from the Cobar Shire, 7.3 per cent come from the Coonamble Shire, 6.9 per cent come from the Bourke Shire, 3.1 per cent come from the Parkes Shire, 2.2 per cent come from the Warren Shire, 1.4 per cent come from the Gilgandra Shire and the rest come from throughout regional New South Wales. Many of these councils have contributed financially to support the growth of Macquarie Home Stay. That is why the Nationals committed $2 million at the last election for future expansions. Where the system lets down our regional people, the least we can do is support them with initiatives like this one.

Unfortunately, the Albanese government did not see fit to match this commitment. They are failing in the delivery of health care, and now they are failing to support the organisations that make healthcare support possible for desperate families. Macquarie Home Stay is meeting such a desperate need that it has to turn away between three and 14 families every single day. I repeat: up to 14 families every single day.

I commend the hard work and commitment of the people behind Macquarie Home Stay: the compassionate CEO, Mr Rod Crowfoot, and the incredible group of volunteer board members with the vision to serve the people most in need. This shows exactly what regional Australians are capable of, and we must support them to get their fair share.

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