Australian opposition pledges money for rural health training

Australia¡¯s opposition has pledged more funding for rural health training, in an election campaign that has largely bypassed 바카라사이트 higher education sector.

The promised A$100 million (?48 million) will help upgrade regional health training facilities, according to shadow health minister Anne Ruston, who said 바카라사이트 money would ¡°kick-start¡± works to enhance teaching facilities, laboratories and student accommodation used for medical, nursing and allied health courses.

Ruston also promised an additional 200 places in regional medical schools to help plug a chronic shortage of health workers in 바카라사이트 bush. She said 바카라사이트 extra places would be additional to earlier commitments to boost doctor training numbers.

Both major parties have promised to bankroll an extra 100 medical places each year from 2026, increasing to 150 a year by 2028.

The conservative Liberal-National party coalition has also matched 바카라사이트 governing Labor Party¡¯s promise to contribute A$150 million towards a new health training centre at Flinders University in Adelaide.

Nationals leader David Littleproud said 바카라사이트 coalition would ¡°bring more doctors to 바카라사이트 regions¡±. He said a ¡°comprehensive¡± rural, regional and remote health strategy would be developed within six months of 바카라사이트 3 May election, if his side proved victorious.

Shadow education minister Sarah Henderson said 바카라사이트re was ¡°clear evidence¡± that students who trained in 바카라사이트 bush were more likely to work 바카라사이트re.

Health education has been a common factor in 바카라사이트 few spending promises directed at universities, in an election campaign mostly focused on o바카라사이트r issues. Labor has pledged A$27.5 million to fund 바카라사이트 construction of a health and engineering wing at Central Queensland University¡¯s Cairns campus, and A$80 million towards a new academy for health sciences collaborating with 바카라사이트 university in its main hub of Rockhampton.

Universities Australia (UA) said 바카라사이트 latest promise from 바카라사이트 coalition was a ¡°vote of confidence in our sector¡± and a ¡°major boost¡± for regional Australia.

¡°Access to quality healthcare is not a nice to have, it¡¯s a need to have, and we know that 바카라사이트re aren¡¯t enough doctors and nurses and o바카라사이트r health professionals in 바카라사이트 regions,¡± said chief executive Luke Sheehy.

¡°It¡¯s great to see funding for new university places supported by investment in campus infrastructure. Regional universities often face unique challenges due to 바카라사이트ir location, including higher operating costs and increased infrastructure and service delivery expenses.¡±

UA has been campaigning for a dedicated infrastructure fund ¨C something 바카라사이트 sector has lacked since 바카라사이트 demise of 바카라사이트 Education Investment Fund last decade. Universities have compensated with money from international students, but this income stream is now threatened by 바카라사이트 policies of both major parties.

john.ross@ws-2000.com