Premier Steven Miles speaks to LNP cuts at Nambour Hospital, Sunshine Coast

Premier Steven Miles has slammed the LNP for not revealing its costings earlier as he talked up Labor’s health plan while on the Sunshine Coast. See the LNP response.

While on the Sunshine Coast, Premier Steven Miles has slammed the LNP for not revealing where they will be cutting funds from just two days out of the election – saying it is bound to hit vital health services.

Premier Steven Miles spoke at the Nambour Hospital, today, Thursday October 24 where he outlined Labor’s health care plan if elected.

“Labor has outlined a comprehensive health plan where our opponents will only cut,” he said.

“Our health plan includes three new hospitals and expanding existing hospitals.

“We’ve announced that we’ll build a satellite hospital here on the Sunshine Coast. We know the LNP have always opposed the satellite hospitals and they will not build a new satellite hospital here on the Sunshine Coast.

“Some of the 12 GP clinics that will be in the southeast will be here on the Sunshine Coast.”

The premier said “today is cuts day for the LNP”.

“Today is the day they have to outline where the cuts will come from. The money has to come from somewhere. You can’t spend and reduce debt and reduce taxes without cuts,” he said.

Premier Steven Miles visits pre polling at the Caloundra Cricket Club on the Sunshine Coast. Picture – Adam Head.

The LNP candidate for Caloundra Kendall Morton responded to the Premier’s comments on costings.

“I’m 100 per cent confident that Queenslanders will be comfortable with the (LNP) costings and believe in this team,” she said.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said Labor had already committed to more health staff.

“We have committed this financial year to a record $1.8 billion. That’s more than a 10 per cent increase on the following year,” she said.

“Today I’m really pleased to give you a really important update on our workforce attraction incentive scheme.

“We’ve now almost reached 1900 clinicians that have joined Queensland Health. Some have come as far away from Canada and Scotland.

“And we have over 90 clinicians right here on the Sunshine Coast that have come from interstate and overseas to join our hardworking health bureaus here on the Sunshine Coast.

“We have hire more than 2700 health workers since we’ve been in government here on the Sunshine Coast and we know 80 were absolutely sacked by the former Newman LNP Government.”

Nicklin MP Rob Skelton said the LNP previously cut the mobile breast screening in his region.

“Which is appalling,” he said.

“When they cut they diminish the services. We’ve now put $86 million back into Nambour Hospital and we’ve increased the bed capacity by 118.”

Ms Morton said her party was committed to easy access to healthcare for all Queenslanders.

She said under Labor, ambulance ramping and specialist wait list times had increased.

She said the LNP would ensure the GP patients’ tax proposed by Labor would not go ahead, “assuring Queenslanders that the fee to see a GP remains low”.

The LNP’s Nicklin candidate Marty Hunt was also contacted for comment.