House debates

Thursday, 4 July 2019

Statements by Members

Health

1:52 pm

Photo of David GillespieDavid Gillespie (Lyne, National Party) Share this | | Hansard source

It's my great honour to stand here as the member for Lyne again. I thank the voters of the Lyne electorate for giving me the honour and privilege of serving them here in this building.

As part of the federal coalition government's record investment in health, a new headspace centre will be established in Taree over the next 12 months. It will be one of 153 headspace sites nationally. Headspace aims to improve access for young people between the age of 12 and 25 years of age, not just for the signature issue of early signs of mental health problems, but also physical health, social and vocational support, and any problems with alcohol and drug use.

When I visited the site of the New South Wales government's $140 million redevelopment of the Manning Base Hospital, I was also delighted to announce a Medicare licence for a new MRI machine at the Base Hospital, which will improve the diagnostic and treatment capability of the Manning Hospital.

Another important health initiative that the coalition's health plan includes is the $63 million boost to radiation therapy services across regional Australia. I also had the honour of announcing with my friend and colleague, Minister Greg Hunt, that the Manning-Great Lakes region was going to be one of 13 sites with radiation therapy services.

We are busy rolling out all the promises that we made in the election, and I look forward to delivering these in this financial year.