Latest News
• Add My News • Search Old News
Waiting List Blitz to Give Victorians the Dental Care They NeedAndrews Labor Government taking action to slash dental waiting lists. By Portal Admin - 19th August 2018 - Back to News The Andrews Labor Government is taking action to slash dental waiting lists that have swelled because of Malcolm Turnbull’s funding cuts.
Malcolm Turnbull and the Federal Liberals have cut public dental funding by 30 per cent – leaving 8675 people on waiting lists in Gippsland at an average wait time of 20.6 months.
The Labor Government is rolling out a $12.1 million waiting list blitz to drive down delays for dental treatment, which will ensure our dental services will have the resources they need to begin treating more than 18,300 people currently on a waiting list.
The Liberals’ cuts, coupled with our growing population, means waiting lists have blown out to more than 19 months for general care and 17 months for denture care.
While the Labor Government is fast-tracking people with urgent needs to the front of the queue to avoid them being put on the waiting list, the Liberals’ cuts have meant more than 140,000 people are waiting for public dental care.
Dental conditions are the top cause of avoidable hospital admission for kids under ten, and the third highest for all age groups. In 2015/16, more than 5,500 kids had to have a general anaesthetic for preventable dental conditions.
The Labor Government’s package also includes:
- $760,000 for fluoride varnish for kids in disadvantaged communities
- $600,000 to train dental clinics with alternative sedations to general anaesthetics
- $720,000 for oral care education
Malcolm Turnbull and the Liberals’ cuts to dental funding are yet more proof you can’t trust them when it comes to health care – all they do is cut.
Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing
"We’re working really hard to reduce the devastating impact of federal cuts to dental funding, and to drive down dental care waiting lists right across the region."
"Victorians deserve proper access to dental treatment no matter where they live, but Malcolm Turnbull and the Coalition’s cuts have left our dental system in decay – and unless the federal government steps up, people will continue waiting too long for important treatment or missing out altogether."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: support@gippsland.com
Related Articles- Danny O'Brien condemns Labor for empty social housing amid growing waitlists and rental shortages in Gippsland
Danny O'Brien has criticised Labor for leaving social housing vacant as waitlists grow, citing fewer homes, shrinking rental availability, rising costs, and failed policies driving investment away in Gippsland South. - Baw Baw Shire Council invites community to join Biodiversity Blitz and help shape first nature plan from 1-30 September 2025
Baw Baw Shire Council invites residents to celebrate Biodiversity Month by joining the Biodiversity Blitz, recording local species, attending walk-and-talk events, and contributing ideas to shape the region's first Nature Plan. - Labor government delivers $2.73M Sale Hospital upgrade, modernising Community Services building for Gippsland healthcare staff
The Allan Labor government is delivering a $2.73 million upgrade to Sale Hospital's historic Community Services Building, modernising facilities for healthcare workers, patients, and students through the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund. - Labor government slammed as Gippsland crime soars, Danny O'Brien warns communities are failed by weak laws
Danny O'Brien says Gippsland crime is surging under Labor, with major increases across all councils. He warns weakened laws, police shortages, and neglect leave communities unsafe, demanding stronger action and real consequences. - Allan Labor government backs regional footy and netball with $1.5M from 2025-26 Country Football and Netball Program
The Allan Labor government is investing $1.5 million in Morwell sports clubs through the Country Football and Netball Program, while opening new grants to upgrade regional facilities and boost community participation. - Melina Bath urges parents, carers, and educators to provide submissions to improve child safety by 30 November 2025
Victoria's Child Safety Inquiry calls for public submissions to investigate early childhood education failures, restore family confidence, and recommend reforms ensuring children receive safe, high-quality care and protection. - Labor government's VicGrid laws pass with crossbench backing amid Nationals' warning of property rights erosion
The Allan government's VicGrid laws passed with crossbench support, sparking Nationals' criticism over lost property rights, silenced regional voices, and overreach. The Nationals vow repeal in 2026 to restore landholder protections. - Allan Labor government backs First Nations athletes in Eastern Victoria with new sports grants
The Allan Labor government has announced over $67,000 in Aboriginal Sport Participation Grants, supporting First Nations athletes in Eastern Victoria with travel, uniforms, and equipment to compete locally and nationally. - Labor government backs Moe's Ted Summerton Reserve upgrades with major investment in cricket, football and community facilities
Works have begun on Moe's Ted Summerton Reserve, delivering oval upgrades, lighting, new changerooms, and improvements through the Regional Sports Infrastructure Program, boosting community sport, events, jobs, and local participation. - Melina Bath urges Labor government to scrap emergency services tax as VFF survey shows farmers' frustration and concern
The Nationals' Melina Bath urged the Allan Labor government to scrap the emergency services tax, citing VFF survey findings showing widespread financial, mental, and regulatory pressures on Victorian farmers. - Melina Bath criticises Labor government shutting public beekeeping, threatening Victoria's food security and horticultural jobs
Melina Bath condemned the Allan Labor government's closure of public land beekeeping, warning it threatens food security, pollination, horticultural exports, and regional jobs, calling for policy reversal and support for apiarists.
|
|
