John Cobb (Calare, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to throw my support behind the new GP Rural Incentives program, announced last week. This large government investment will assist nearly 450 towns, seven of which are in my electorate of Calare. Portland, Wallerawang, Oberon, Molong, Canowindra, Blayney and Lithgow will all benefit from the scheme that encourage doctors to come to regional areas. As the member for the nation's oldest country region who was once responsible for most of Western New South Wales—areas that are now held by the member for Parkes and the member for Farrer—I am very aware of the extent to which regional and remote areas need incentives for doctors. This scheme is one way we can assist smaller rural communities to retain GPs.

There is a lot more to be done, and one thing that could be done would be to start a university program between Charles Sturt University and La Trobe University in Orange, Bendigo and Wagga Wagga to have medical students who are dedicated to practising in rural and regional Australia.