General News
13 August, 2022
Pitches on health
THE MAJOR political parties have today made pitches for the health vote. THe Coalition is pledging free public transport for health workers while the Labor Government says it is boosting Victoria’s healthcare workforce by recruiting hundreds of...
THE MAJOR political parties have today made pitches for the health vote.
THe Coalition is pledging free public transport for health workers while the Labor Government says it is boosting Victoria’s healthcare workforce by recruiting hundreds of doctors, nurses, midwives and allied health professionals living overseas – including healthcare workers wanting to return home – to help ease pressure on the hospital system.
The Government says
lmost 700 overseas healthcare workers have arrived in Victoria in the past year from Ireland, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, New Zealand, the Philippines and the United States – taking up employment across Victoria’s public health services, with one in five working in regional areas.
These additional healthcare workers have helped add more than 22,000 extra healthcare workers to the public health system since 2014, including 8,500 who joined the workforce during the pandemic.
The opening of international borders has seen interest from other countries continue to grow, with many workers keen to experience the Australian way of life and further develop their careers in Victoria’s world-class public health system.
The international pipeline of new recruits is more important than ever as Victoria’s health system continues to experience record-breaking demand for services, while managing the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With health systems around the world under pressure, workers are in high demand globally. Many have chosen to come to here because of Victoria’s high living standards and its place as a leader in global healthcare innovation.
Almost 200 of the new arrivals have accessed the Labor Government’s travel allowance scheme to help with relocation costs of up to $10,000 if moving to a metro area, or $13,000 for regional areas.
The Coaliton pledge says
To help ease these cost of living pressures and support our nurses to continue carrying out their vital work, a Matt Guy Liberals and Nationals Government will provide free public transport for all Victorian nurses, personal and aged care workers, allied health workers, paramedics, and other hospital workers like patient transport orderlies and clerical staff.
Under this commitment, more than 260,000 Victorian health workers will be eligible for free travel across all metropolitan and V/Line public transport services 365 days a year until November 2026.
Over this four year period, a daily user travelling in zone 1 and 2 across metropolitan Melbourne could save up to $7,200.
Leader of the Liberal Party, Matt Guy, said this important commitment is part of the Liberals and Nationals real solutions to fix the health crisis.
“To fix the health crisis we need innovative solutions to attract, retain and reward health workers.”
“Our nurses have given so much for our community over the past three years – this important commitment demonstrates the value we place on them.”
“A cheaper, easier commute to work is exactly what our nurses need and deserve. Only the Liberals and Nationals will deliver this critical commitment.”
Shadow Minister for Health, Georgie Crozier, said this positive plan is a critical support and reward for Victoria’s dedicated frontline nursing and healthcare staff.
“This initiative will go a long way to easing hip-pocket pressures for our nurses and support this critical workforce to continue their outstanding work.”