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Coalition promises $100M for regional medical training and 200 new commonwealth supported places for rural health

A Coalition government would invest $100 million in regional medical training facilities and deliver 200 new regional medical CSPs, aiming to boost healthcare access and workforce in rural and remote areas.

By news@gippsland - 16th April 2025 - Back to News

A Dutton-Littleproud Coalition government will invest $100 million towards upgrading regional medical training facilities across Australia and delivering 200 additional regional medical Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs), to fast track more health professionals living and working in regional, rural and remote Australia.

The Coalition will boost rural health by delivering more regional doctors and developing a long-term strategy to meet community needs

More regional doctors

The Nationals Leader David Littleproud joined Shadow Minister for Health, Senator Anne Ruston, in announcing the plan to get more general practice doctors in the regions. Mr Littleproud said the regional funding injection would be supported by a new comprehensive Rural, Regional, and Remote Health Strategy and developed by the National Rural Health Commissioner in the first six months of a Coalition government.

"The Coalition supports better rural, regional and remote health care and more GPs for families in our regions. A future Coalition government will bring more doctors to the regions. We will build on the former Coalition government's strong record in regional health, developing a comprehensive Rural, Regional, and Remote Health Strategy, to ensure Australia has a long-term plan to meet the healthcare challenges in these communities," Mr Littleproud said.

Boosting regional health

Senator Ruston said that only the Coalition understands the importance of ensuring all Australians have access to the high-quality healthcare they need, no matter where they live. "The additional funding will kick start works to upgrade teaching facilities, laboratories and student accommodation, backed with 200 medical CSPs guaranteed for the regions to tackle the chronic rural health workforce shortage."

"This announcement takes our medical CSP commitment to 350 places because we are committed to growing the pipeline of GPs. The $100 million infrastructure funding will be available to universities and healthcare institutions engaged in medical, nursing and allied health training."

Eligible applicants must demonstrate a commitment to training healthcare professionals at their regional facilities or campus. This important investment responds to growing calls from stakeholders for a dedicated focus on regional, rural and remote healthcare," Senator Ruston said.

Growing regional healthcare

Shadow Minister for Education, Senator Sarah Henderson, said there is clear evidence that if students study and train in rural, regional and remote Australia, they are more likely to choose to work there, which is critical to addressing the health workforce shortages that only get worse the further you are from a capital city.

"A Coalition government will put students first in universities by funding more places for the future GP workforce, especially in the regions which need it most. These new Commonwealth supported places will be a welcome boost to universities which are delivering high-quality medical training and education," Senator Henderson said.

The Strategy will be outcomes-focused and built on the principles of 'Teach and Train, Recruit and Retain', creating a healthcare system that is inspiring, innovative, and delivers for rural, regional and remote Australians.

Pictures from Victorian Department of Health Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Nationals’ Melina Bath warns eastern Victoria communities face bushfire risks from overgrown roadside vegetation, urging Allan Government to implement slashing, controlled burning, and weed management to improve public safety.
• East Gippsland Council streamlines procurement, connecting suppliers through VendorPanel online
  East Gippsland Council now manages major procurement through VendorPanel, giving local, regional, and national suppliers fair, simple access to opportunities while supporting transparency, competition, and local economic growth.
• Danny O'Brien urges Allan Labor government to fix online rebate issues affecting CFA and SES volunteers' access to support
  Danny O'Brien has urged the Allan Labor Government to fix the online-only rebate system, saying CFA and SES volunteers struggle to access support and deserve easier, paper-based application options.
• Danny O'Brien celebrates Gippsland South schools receiving VicHealth Kitchen Garden grants to boost cooking and gardening education
  Danny O'Brien has congratulated five Gippsland South primary schools awarded VicHealth Kitchen Garden grants, supporting hands-on cooking, gardening, and healthy eating education to build students' lifelong skills, and sustainability awareness.
• Melina Bath denounces Allan government’s $13M machete amnesty as wasteful, ineffective stunt
  Melina Bath slammed the Allan government’s $13 million machete amnesty as wasteful, ineffective, and politically motivated, criticising costly bins, media stunts, and lack of real impact on knife crime.
• Melina Bath blames Allan government as Victoria's public housing waitlist surges amid worsening housing crisis
  Victoria's housing crisis deepens as public housing waitlists surge past 60,000. Melina Bath blames the Allan government's inaction, rising taxes, and mismanagement for worsening homelessness and unaffordable rents across the state.
• Tim Bull warns Victorian government policies leave record fuel loads, risking another mega-fire
  Tim Bull warns Victorian government’s reduced fuel reduction policies and record bushfire fuel loads are creating conditions for another mega-fire, urging urgent action to protect communities and support firefighters’ efforts.
• Darren Chester slams Albanese government over bill limiting veterans' rights to appeal medal and bravery decisions
  Shadow Minister Darren Chester has condemned the Albanese government's proposed Defence Honours Bill, claiming it restricts veterans' rights to appeal medal decisions and undermines the independent Tribunal's role in recognising bravery.
• Tim Bull criticises Labor government for mismanagement, volunteer cuts, and inadequate fuel reduction ahead of high-risk summer season
  Gippsland East MP Tim Bull warns communities face extreme bushfire risk this summer due to Labor’s volunteer cuts, ageing CFA fleet, inadequate fuel reduction, and failure to implement Royal Commission recommendations.
• Tim Bull urges Labor government to stop costly brumby culling amid Parks Victoria job and funding cuts
  Tim Bull urges Labor to halt costly brumby culling in East Gippsland, citing job losses, funding cuts, and greater threats from feral pigs, while advocating for more responsible taxpayer spending.
• Tim Bull condemns Labor government for rejecting Jack’s Law, delaying vital reforms to prevent knife-related harm
  Gippsland East MP Tim Bull criticises Labor for blocking Jack’s Law, a proven reform to enhance police powers, remove dangerous weapons, and improve community safety against knife-related violence.
• Committee for Gippsland hosts investment briefing with Victoria’s Coordinator-General Donna Findlay in Warragul
  The Committee for Gippsland hosted Victoria’s Investment Coordinator-General Donna Findlay in Warragul, discussing minerals, data centres, and strategies to attract private investment and boost regional economic growth.
• Danny O'Brien slams Labor for funding maintenance at Sale College instead of new campus
  Danny O'Brien has criticised Labor for allocating $273,175 in maintenance to Sale College, arguing funds should instead deliver the long-promised new consolidated campus the community has campaigned for since 2017.
• Darren Chester congratulates Hillywood Tree Nursery on expanding Gippsland-grown business with new online store
  Hillywood Tree Nursery in Briagolong has launched an online store, expanding access to Gippsland-grown plants. Darren Chester praised owner Ed Mosley for fostering innovation, sustainability, and local job growth in horticulture.