Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Hansard source

As I indicated earlier, we need to focus on the entire health sector. We hear a lot about GPs, but we also recognise in this government the importance of nursing and allied health and the workforce there. We have provided $13.4 million for additional scholarships for nursing and allied health. This is particularly going to target areas of workforce shortage. Unlike those opposite, this government recognises that there needs to be a focus on those areas of need. So there will be support for undergraduate and postgraduate students. There is support for continued professional development. There is support for transition to practice training and—very importantly for those on this side that recognise the need—support for people who have been nurses who are looking to re-enter the workforce. We know that is a particular need in rural and regional areas. This government, unlike those opposite, has recognised that. (Time expired)