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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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  Melina Bath says Gippsland children face longer waits after regional pediatric dental services were cut, forcing families to travel to Melbourne for specialist treatment.
• Gippsland secures $288M country roads and bridges commitment under national government
  The Nationals will restore the Country Roads and Bridges Program, providing Victoria's 48 regional councils $1.5 million annually for four years to repair roads, bridges and local infrastructure.
• The Nationals blame Labor government after 84 more jobs cut at Maryvale paper mill in Latrobe Valley
  Nationals MP Martin Cameron blamed the Victorian Labor government after Opal announced 84 job cuts at Maryvale, arguing forestry policy and timber supply failures caused ongoing workforce losses.
• Latrobe City Council urges Premier Ben Carroll to include the region among Victoria's three free dental clinic locations
  Latrobe City Council urges Premier Ben Carroll to select Latrobe City for a free regional dental clinic, improving affordable healthcare access and reducing cost-of-living pressures.
• Mobile Service Centres bringing government support across South Gippsland communities an August and September
  Australian government Mobile Service Centres will visit 12 South Gippsland communities, offering Medicare, Centrelink, myGov and Veterans’ Affairs assistance, with accessible facilities and Wi-Fi.
• Bass Coast Shire Council urges state government to act on urgent on Western Port Woodlands protection controls before caretaker period
  Bass Coast Shire Council has urged the Victorian Government to introduce interim protections for Western Port Woodlands, citing significant biodiversity values and seeking action before caretaker provisions begin on November 3.
• Morwell CBD double-storey car park set to deliver more than 120 additional free parking spaces soon
  Preparation works have begun for Morwell’s new double-storey CBD car park, expected to start construction in October, adding more than 120 free spaces and completing Latrobe City’s Regional Car Parks Fund projects.