The Federal Member for Indi has campaigned for, and delivered, health and mental health funding for Indi during her first term and has pledged to continue to advocate for the health needs of the north-east region.
“This election is about our health and the health of our families and loved ones,” Dr Haines said.
“If health is important to you, vote for someone who knows the health system inside out, is a determined fighter for our needs and knows what our health workforce experiences because I’ve worked on the frontlines of our health system for decades.”
Dr Haines worked as a nurse and midwife before entering politics and has taken that knowledge and experience into representing the people of Indi.
“Healthcare and social assistance is our biggest employer in Indi,’’ she said.
“We all know someone who’s a nurse or an allied health worker.
“We all know someone with a chronic condition or who’s needed emergency medical care.’’
Dr Haines said that if re-elected health would be her number one local priority.
“I’ll fight for a new hospital for Albury Wodonga and will make sure the voice of the community is heard where it counts,’’ she said.
“I stand alongside our community in saying that we deserve better.’’
Dr Haines has introduced a series of policy proposals during the election campaign aimed at addressing issues with accessing healthcare that are felt across the Indi electorate.
As well as working towards a new hospital on the border, Dr Haines is fighting for a $1 billion regional health fund, which would cover desperately needed redevelopments for hospitals in towns like Mansfield, Bright and Benalla.
Dr Haines has proposed a series of measures to increase the health workforce in rural and regional Australia by increasing the number of places for medical students at La Trobe University in Wodonga, increasing scholarships for mid-career health professionals to upskill and forgiving university debts for mental health workers who choose to live and work in regional and rural Australia.
Working with the community, Dr Haines is also advocating for a residential eating disorder facility on the border.
She also supports implementing the recommendations of the aged care royal commission, including government funding for desperately needed aged care infrastructure.
Dr Haines called on the Liberal and Labor candidates to step up and commit funding to the new world-class hospital on the border.
“The Liberal party dodged their responsibility through the regional deal to properly fund a new hospital, and Labor have only promised an urgent care centre in Albury when the clear need is for a new hospital,” she said.
“I’m standing side-by-side with the Border Medical Association and all our health workforce, and the community, in calling for the Victorian, NSW and federal governments to commit to this new hospital.’’
