The Nationals WA have unveiled a transformative plan to inject $500 million into regional healthcare,
delivering a much-needed boost to infrastructure and the largest ever increase to the Patient Assisted
Travel Scheme (PATS).
This bold investment aims to ensure all Western Australians, regardless of where they live, have access to
high-quality healthcare.
Leader Shane Love made the announcement at The Nationals WA State Conference and Convention in
Bunbury today, outlining a $400 million Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF) and a $100 million
expansion of PATS.
Both initiatives will be funded over four years under a revitalised Royalties for Regions program.
“Regional healthcare has suffered nearly a decade of neglect under the Cook Labor Government,” Mr
Love said.
“Promised hospital redevelopments and upgrades in Meekatharra, Mullewa, Laverton and Tom Price have
seen no progress in the past eight years, leaving them with ageing infrastructure that has not kept pace
with the needs of their communities.
“Labor has kept vital businesses cases for hospital upgrades in Albany and Margaret River under wraps,
keeping communities in the dark, and the lack of progress on the Geraldton Hospital has earned it the
dubious title of WA’s most delayed project.
“Labor’s $14 million worth of cuts to regional hospital maintenance, including over $2.9 million in the South
West alone, have only deepened the crisis.”
Mr Love said a RHIF would ensure critical health projects were no longer sidelined, and provide regional
communities with access to high quality healthcare, closer to home.
“Providing modern and fit-for-purpose healthcare facilities is also key to attracting high-quality staff who
want to live and work in the regions.”
The first two projects to be funded from the RHIF would include the $59 million redevelopment of the
Meekatharra Hospital and $10.3 million to deliver a radiation oncology unit in Geraldton. Additional
projects will be announced in the lead up to the 2025 State election.
Complementing this infrastructure investment is a historic $100 million boost to PATS, which will
significantly expand the scheme’s reach to over 50,000 additional families by including allied health and
dental care for the first time.
“This is the most significant investment into PATS since its inception in 1978,” Mr Love said.
“This measure is expected to benefit over 50,000 regional families who would not previously have access
to PATS to support their healthcare needs – leading to poorer health outcomes or higher out-of-pocket
costs for vulnerable families. Neither of which is acceptable.”
Mr Love criticised the Cook Labor Government for failing to act on a 2015 inquiry recommendation to
include allied and dental health services within PATS, a decision which has disproportionately harmed
families.
“Without access to allied health services, families in regional areas face significantly lower quality of life
and reduced health outcomes compared to those living closer to specialist care.
“For many cancer patients, allied health services are crucial during and after treatment. These services
help prevent complications, support recovery, and improve overall patient wellbeing.”
The Nationals WA will also increase the fuel subsidy, raising it from 26 cents to 40 cents per kilometre,
making it the equal highest in Australia, and lift the accommodation subsidy from $110 to $150 per night.
“The initiatives will better reflect a realistic proportion of costs incurred by patients who must travel and
stay away from home to access medical services, either in Perth or in major regional centres,” Mr Love
said.
“Our commitment is clear – whether you need healthcare close to home or assistance in reaching services
not available locally, The Nationals in Government will ensure all Western Australians have access to top-quality healthcare, no matter where they live.”
