The Prime Minister’s announcement of an Urgent Care Clinic opening in Western Australia only highlights the fact that Labor lied to Australians by making a promise that could not be delivered.
The new Urgent Care Clinic announced for Cockburn, is already 4 months behind schedule and there is no guarantee that it will be open for the promised extended hours.
Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash said: “Mr Albanese again thinks he can pull the wool over the eyes of Western Australians – he’s done this time and again.”
“He’s happy to fly into this State for a few hours and make an announcement but he should not think he is fooling anyone,’’ she said.
“The reality behind this announcement is very different to what Mr Albanese is trying to portray – these clinics are hopelessly behind schedule and many are not opening as they were promised to,’’ Senator Cash said.
“The Western Australian health system is in crisis – people in this State are being let down by two Labor governments – the Cook State government and the Albanese Federal government,’’ she said.
Shadow Health Minister Senator the Hon Anne Ruston said: “Labor promised that every Urgent Care Clinic would be open during the extended times of 8am-10pm, but it was revealed in Budget Estimates earlier this year that this not always the case.”
“The Government seems to be merely rebadging existing clinics with no guarantee that they will be open for extended hours,’’ Senator Ruston said.
“This is far from providing the promised improved access to critical healthcare and reduced pressure on hospital emergency departments,’’ she said.
The Health Minister promised that 50 Urgent Care Clinics would be up and running across the country by 1 July this year, but it has been over four months since that deadline and not even half of these clinics are up and running.