Barnaby Joyce hits out at Labor ‘lies’ as Coalition announce satellite telehealth clinic for Gladstone’s cancer patients

Gladstone patients requiring radiotherapy will benefit from a $1.9m investment from the Coalition, as Barnaby Joyce lashes out at Labor ‘lies’ on health and welfare. See what the funding will bring to the region.

Barnaby Joyce has hit out at “pathetic lies” from Labor after announcing a telehealth radiology clinic for cancer patients in Gladstone.

The Coalition has committed $1.9m to establishing a satellite telehealth clinic to support patients in need of radiation oncology services in the west wing of Gladstone Hospital.

After consecutive days campaigning in Flynn and Central Queensland over the Easter weekend, the Deputy Prime Minister slammed recent claims by Labor that welfare recipients, including pensioners and veterans, would be placed on cashless welfare cards.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce is joined with Colin Boyce Liberal National Party candidate for Flynn and Dr David Gillespie at CQUniversity Gladstone. Picture: Brad Hunter

“This really frustrates me, the Labor Party starts this campaign not knowing basic policy figures … then they don’t understand their own policies … and the final part is they start lying about our policies,” Mr Joyce said.

“Of course we’re not going to privatise Medicare, and to put that sense of fear into people’s lives is also outrageous.”

Mr Joyce said the fact the Coalition had a portfolio for Regional Health Minister, Dr David Gillespie, as opposed to Labor which did not have a federal equivalent, proved its commitment to representing regional Australia.

“The Labor Party does not have a regional health minister, they do have a minister for the republic which is really handy because if you have an accident between Jundah and Longreach you can find out what’s going on with the Republic,” he said.

LNP candidate for Flynn, Colin Boyce said the commitment would ensure better access for marginalised and vulnerable patients in the region.

“Approximately 50 per cent of local patients who require radiation therapy services don’t get them for a variety of reasons, including difficulty with access, transport and lack of awareness of the available services, which is why having the bus to transport people to appointments will be helpful,” Mr Boyce said.

“I know this clinic will greatly support Gladstone patients undergoing radiation therapy in Rockhampton and means these patients will have support closer to home during this difficult time in their life.”

Colin Boyce said about 50% of patients in the region do not access radiation therapy when required for a number of reasons including being remote. Picture: Brad Hunter

Following the announcement, Queensland Regional Development Minister and Gladstone MP Glenn Butcher said what Gladstone really needed was more bulk-billing GPs to service the growing population.

“If Barnaby Joyce really cared, he should get on the phone to the Prime Minister and Treasurer and ask for Queensland’s fair share,” Mr Butcher said.

“If the LNP really cared about Gladstone, or Queensland, they wouldn’t have cut more than $20 million from our hospitals next year … (o) n top of that, the federal coalition is also cutting $176 million from Queensland hospitals in 2023‑24 and 2024‑25.”

Queensland Water Minister Glenn Butcher speaks during Question Time at Parliament House in Brisbane earlier this year. Picture: Dan Peled

A Labor spokesperson said if Barnaby Joyce wants to talk about lies he should address his own character assessment of Scott Morrison.

“Labor makes no apologies for highlighting what Scott Morrison has said as well as his handpicked Minister for Health and current Minister for Social Services, Anne Ruston,” the spokesperson said.

“Anne Ruston says Medicare is unsustainable in its current form – so the question is – where is she going to cut,” they said.

“Only Labor will strengthen Medicare, and Labor will scrap the privatised Cashless Debit Card.”

The clinic is expected to open later this year, with the Coalition funding $1.9m while the Central Queensland Hospital and Health Services (CQHHS) will fund the remaining $200,000.