The Albanese Labor Government has thrown hopes for doctor training in Mildura, denying a local bid for additional Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) with La Trobe and Monash Universities.
The Nationals Member for Mildura, Jade Benham said it is disappointing for Mildura to miss out on this opportunity.
“I’m devastated. At a time when our state is in the midst of a health crisis, investment into regional GP training would offer us a chance to grow our own workforce,’’ said Ms Benham
A CSP provides a government subsidised place at a university or higher education provider. This subsidy covers part of the cost of the degree, with the student or a HECS-HELP loan covering the remaining portion. The scuttled Mildura pathway for students would have entailed entry into a La Trobe University Bachelor of Biomedical Science degree, with students seamlessly progressing into the Monash Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine course in Mildura.
“La Trobe University, Mildura have a wonderful facility with an expansion planned of the nursing unit underway, having the CSP would have enabled Mildura to be home of regional medical training.
“Granting additional CSPs to Mildura would have resulted in better health outcomes for the long term in the tristate Sunraysia region.
“For too long, we have lost young students to capital cities and other regional centres like Shepparton and Albury-Wodonga because we cannot provide a pathway for local end-to-end medical training,” said Ms Benham.
“While missing out on additional CSP is an incredibly disappointing result, I will continue to advocate with my Federal Colleague Anne Webster for better health outcomes that Mildura deserves.”
