Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash
Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Senator for Western Australia
MEDIA RELEASE
1 FEBRUARY 2023
ALBANESE’S BROKEN PROMISE ON WA URGENT CARE CLINICS
The Prime Minister’s announcement of the expression of interest process for urgent care clinics in Western Australia is nothing more than a broken promise dressed up to look like something voters should be grateful for.
“The Albanese Government promised these clinics would be up and running within their first year in office, but it is now clear that will not be the case,’’ Senator Cash said.
“Mr Albanese’s announcement in Perth today leaves the timeline even more uncertain with an EOI process to run until the 24 March but no commitment on start dates,’’ she said.
“The phased approach beginning with Perth City, Joondalup and Rockingham means the other four promised clinics will be even later,’’ she said.
“It’s difficult to see how any of these clinics will be able to be delivered this year, certainly not all of them,’’ Senator Cash said.
“With the WA hospital system in chaos, particularly emergency departments, and the McGowan State Government unable or unwilling to fix it despite a huge surplus, these clinics are needed as soon as possible,’’ she said.
“Mr Albanese should be upfront with the people of Western Australia and admit to them that he has let them down and broken a key election promise,’’ Senator Cash said.
“This Government is all headline and no delivery,’’ she said.
Senator Cash said Western Australia is the midst of a health workforce crisis, where hospitals, aged care and community health facilities are all competing for access to GPs, nursing and care workforce.
“Mr Albanese should urgently explain how he expects to staff the urgent care clinics,” Senator Cash said.
“This is another case of Mr Albanese duping Western Australians by promising something and not delivering as promised,’’ she said.
ENDS
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