Despite the Labor Government swimming in budget surpluses, largely due to higher GST returns and a strong resources sector, the Mid West has been left wanting once again according to The Nationals WA.
Leader of the Nationals WA and Mid West MP Shane Love MLA said despite delivering yet another mammoth budget surplus, local priorities in the region were being overlooked.
“The Treasurer has just delivered the sixth multi-billion-dollar budget surplus in a row, and there is a further $10 billion in surpluses forecast over the next four years,” Mr Love said.
“Despite this, the most recent State Budget shows WA Labor has completely ignored calls from emergency service volunteers and the local community to establish an Emergency Rescue Helicopter based in the Mid West.
“The Labor Member for Geraldton Lara Dalton who previously claimed to be ‘strongly advocating’ for the service has once again failed her electorate and the region.”
The State Budget contains an additional $18.9 million to meet the increasing costs of the existing rescue helicopters, but no new funding to provide a Mid West rescue helicopter.
Candidate for Geraldton Kirrilee Warr urged the State Government to reconsider and use its $3.2 billion budget surplus to save lives in the region.
“At the same time the government is encouraging visitors to the region with funding for tourism infrastructure at the Abrolhos Islands and Kalbarri, WA Labor has ignored the need for a rescue helicopter to provide a life-saving, rapid response to these remote areas.
“The Nationals WA have committed $45 million to establish this critical emergency response service in the Mid West, while the Cook Labor Government ignores the advice of the Chief Health Officer and denies Mid West residents this important service.”
Ms Warr also labelled the Government’s refusal to fund a radiation oncology service in Geraldton as cruel and miserly.
“The former Liberal-National Federal Government committed $9 million to deliver a radiation oncology service in Geraldton, which would save residents more than 400 trips to Perth each
year to access life-saving cancer treatment closer to home.
“WA Labor’s refusal to match this funding to establish a radiation oncology unit in Geraldton, while sitting on a massive budget surplus, is a harsh blow for cancer patients and their families who have been awaiting local access to radiotherapy for years.
Shadow Minister for Regional Health Martin Aldridge MLC said Labor was failing Geraldton and the Mid West.
‘In 2017, the Labor party promised to redevelop Geraldton Health Campus, however as a result of their repeated delays and mismanagement that cost has grown to more than $166 million and is years behind schedule,” Mr Aldridge said.
“When it comes to the health and safety of people residing in Geraldton and the Mid West the Cook Labor Government has failed on all counts.”
