The new Member for Murray, elected in March, told constituents her priorities were water, services and health.
She recently undertook a south-west electorate tour which began in Moulamein where she met with the Moulamein Local Health Association Committee, who raised a number of concerns about health services for the community.
“Communities like Moulamein and Tooleybuc have had their health services downgraded, they are now classified as a Community Centre Intake Service. This has limited the health services which can be administered in Moulamein and Tooleybuc.
“In fact someone wanting to make an appointment needs to ring Wagga Wagga (though Murrumbidgee Local Health District) to see the local community health nurse.
“On top of that the local health nurse is restricted in what they can perform and the equipment they can use. This leads to many people having to travel as far away as Swan Hill for basic health services. With an ageing population this just isn’t viable for these communities,” Mrs Dalton said.
She explained to those at the meeting the parliamentary process of actioning change and raising awareness for issues impacting the bush. She also explained the health petition which she is trying to get on to the parliamentary floor so that health issues can be debated.
“We are aiming for 10,000 signatures so we can really raise awareness of the health issues across the region,” she said.
Mrs Dalton said it was a productive meeting with Moulamein residents about their community health issues.
“It highlighted the need for the continuation of the health petition, as rural health is in crisis.
“One size does not fit all and overlaying a metropolitan health model into regional areas does not always translate to optimum health outcomes in the bush,” she said.
Mrs Dalton also met with Balranald Shire Council where she talked to councillors and the general manager and reiterated her desire to work with councils to ensure that together ‘we get our fair share’.
Mrs Dalton told the council she was building relationships with Ministers and is taking every opportunity to highlight issues in the electorate.
Council brought Mrs Dalton up to speed on a number of projects and opportunities which the region and the council have in the pipeline and have recently completed, along with a number of privately funded initiatives.
“It is great to see a local council powering ahead and taking control of their destiny, showing what can be achieved by taking advantage of grants which are available. The solar farm and nut developments have been incredible.
“I applaud their efforts in pushing for local input into managing natural resources such as water. The boom in mineral sand mining is great for the region,” she said.
While Mrs Dalton said there were a lot of positives for the council, there are still some areas which need attention.
“We identified some health issues such as a lack of dentist, renal dialysis and the need for autopsies to be performed locally.
“There is a backlog of infrastructure spending and Balranald has not had a state government or ministerial visit for a long time, so the region is feeling a little forgotten by our state government. This is something I am keen to help rectify,” Mrs Dalton said.
Mrs Dalton later met with Wentworth Shire Council and had a tour of Barham Hospital.
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