This week in Canberra has reinforced why, as Shadow Minister for Regional Health, I keep fighting for better healthcare for regional Australians.
On Monday I spoke about heart health and disease prevention. Screening previously undertaken in Mallee found 85.3 per cent of participants had at least one cardiovascular risk factor, while 43.1 per cent were referred to their GP for further discussion.  Far too many people first learn they have a heart issue when they are rushed to hospital.
On Tuesday I continued the cross-parliamentary campaign for Australia to lead the way on research, survival and cures on childhood cancer.
On Wednesday, as co-chair on cross-parliamentary concerns about Bowel Cancer, I spoke with researchers about the very disturbing rapid rise of early-onset bowel cancer. A new five-year research program will investigate what is driving increasing bowel cancer among 25-44 year old Australians.
I also joined the National Rural Health Alliance on Monday as they launched a damning report which shows, governments spend $9 billion less on regional Australian healthcare than metro areas, equating to $1,218 less per person each year. Shockingly, in small rural towns the shortfall exceeds $6,000 per person.  While governments talk about equality, they fail to walk the talk for regional Australians and, worse still, the gap is growing.
The Coalition won the fight this week in the Senate to reject Labor's cut to private health insurance rebates for Australians aged over 65.  In Mallee’s Biggest Survey, 57 per cent of those over 65 said they have private health insurance – and a further 12 per sent said they don’t have it, but would like to.  We, in The Nationals in Coalition, called out the ridiculous, undercooked modelling Labor tried to use to justify their private health tax grab – a huge number of pensioners would have been affected.  Without this rebate, Labor significantly underestimated how many would downgrade or cut their private health cover. Private healthcare in regions would have closed, sending more people into already long elective surgery wait lists and stretched public hospitals.
The fight continues to ensure the Greens don’t back down on this important issue.