The local Northern Rivers region is set to benefit from new social housing and new urgent medical care clinics - if local Labor candidate, Patrick Deegan’s party wins the upcoming Federal election.

Housing

In a press conference held today, Mr Deegan said Labor’s $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund would build 30,000 new social and affordable housing properties.

“The electorates of Page and Richmond will be first cabs off the rank to get these new social residences built,” Mr Deegan said.

“Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness will prioritise assessing our housing needs - working out which buildings need to be repaired or rebuilt in new locations.

“He will work with local community housing providers to create social housing stock and get people into new homes as quickly as possible.

Crisis

“Our region already had a huge shortage of affordable housing before the floods, but now the housing situation is a crisis

“We know it’s not an immediate solution – and part of the fund will be for repairing current social housing properties. 

“People need hope now and the solutions being rolled out as part of the disaster response are happening too slowly.”

Mr Deegan said it was important for the Federal Government to work closely with the NSW Government in order to see local issues addressed in a timely manner.

“We have already been speaking with the reconstruction corporation and working closely with local State Government representative Janelle Saffin in local communities,” he said

“We want to make sure any obstacles are overcome in order to get speedy results for the community.”

Urgent Health Care

New Medicare Urgent Care Clinics run by existing GP clinics and Community Health Centres are also planned if Labor wins the election.

Mr Deegan said the clinics would provide bulk billed services for minor injuries including sprains, broken bones, stitches, wound care, insect bites, minor ear and eye problems.

“The clinics will help people with time-critical treatments and relieve pressure on our already overburdened Emergency Department at Lismore Base Hospital,” he said.

“The new clinics will be open during extended business hours – at least 8am to 10pm – seven days a week. No appointment will be needed. All patients will need is their Medicare card.”

Mr Deegan said funding for the new clinics will be through grants, so existing GP-led clinics can open longer and increase the number of doctors, nurses and allied health staff.

“One-off grants will also be provided to improve equipment and facilities, like x-ray machines.

“Urgent Care Clinics have been successful in other countries such as New Zealand, where they provide 2.5 million consultations a year.

“The New Zealand experience shows Urgent Care Clinics can work for families and take the pressure off emergency departments.”

Neglect

Mr Deegan said the current shortage of nurses and doctors working in regional areas was due to “nine years of National and Liberal Party neglect”.

“We haven’t seen enough in terms of training new doctors and nurses,” he said.

“Labor plans to attract more GPs to the new urgent care clinics and give them more option to practice as GPs rather than move into specialty focus areas.”

When asked how he thought Labor would fare in the upcoming election in a region long held by the Nationals and Liberals, Mr Deegan said “the voters of Page will make that decision on the ground”.

“There’s a mood for change and people are unhapppy with the current government,” he said. “Voting Labor is the way to change that.”