Janelle Saffin (Page, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I have two questions: one specific and one more general but, before I go to them, I commend the Minister for Health and Ageing and the Minister for Ageing for delivering a health budget that heralded some of the reforms that were needed in the health system. Those national reforms have a significant impact on rural and regional seats. I thank both ministers for visiting my electorate at various times over the last year, in particular for the formal consultation on the GP super clinic. While that is an independent process, I understand that it is pretty well down the track. I also thank the Minister for Ageing for visiting some of the aged care facilities in my seat of Page. I welcome the continued and additional funding so that those people can get additional respite. They are both very welcome initiatives.

There is a whole lot in the budget I would like to talk about, but I will start by saying it was wonderful to see the $560 million for 10 regional cancer centres. The minister is nodding her head. She knows we have an integrated cancer centre at the Lismore Base Hospital, which will now receive money from an election commitment that I and the minister gave. All up, that commitment totalled $15 million, so the medical and the general communities are getting ready to put in a bid for an enhancement to that, looking at a PET/CT scanner and accommodation services. We are awaiting the criteria. The digital imaging for mammography is a great initiative. Also, I know I speak on behalf of the member for New England when I welcome the $295,000 for Urbanville so that the GPs can have the upgrade. We share that facility and that area.

Minister, many women in my community are celebrating the changes made by the Rudd government in the area of maternity services—something quite dear to my heart and I know is dear to yours. On many occasions, I have heard you say that nurses are the backbone of our health system. These changes our government brings reinforce the vital role both practice nurses and midwives can play in the health system. Can you please outline how the government will recognise the valuable role and skills that these professions bring to the health system and to the broader community?

My other more general question is to the minister: what is the extent of the budget measures vis-a-vis ageing?

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