Labor targets TAFE nursing students with $2.7 million

State and federal Labor are doubling down on their healthcare commitments in Moreton Bay with three announcements to create ‘mini hospital wards’.

State ALP Minister for Employment Shannon Fentiman and federal ALP MP for Longman announced the redevelopment of TAFE Caboolture's health training facilities.

STATE and federal Labor parties are doubling down on their healthcare commitments in Moreton Bay with three announcements potentially worth $2.7 million.

More on the 2019 Federal Election Campaign: Day 7

Labor warned of diplomatic rift over use of ‘discriminatory’ language

Labor rule out Palmer deal in marginal seat

State ALP Minister for Employment Shannon Fentiman was at TAFE Caboolture this morning for the beginning of a $700,000 redevelopment to turn its health training facilities into a ‘mini hospital ward’.

It will improve facilities for students doing a Diploma of Nursing, which is the most popular course at the campus.

Longman ALP MP Susan Lamb said a Shorten Labor government would commit an additional $1 million to that total if elected.

Meanwhile Petrie ALP candidate Corinne Mulholland made a similar election promise yesterday with another $1 million for TAFE Redcliffe.

State ALP Minister for Employment Shannon Fentiman and federal ALP MP for Longman announced the redevelopment of TAFE Caboolture's health training facilities.

The state government’s project is going ahead regardless of federal funding, starting today and is expected to take 12 weeks.

“The modernisation of C block will involve a redesign of the nursing practical spaces to provide an extra five bed ward, a learning area, an observation and viewing room,” Ms Fentiman said.

“The teaching space will simulate interactive mini hospital wards, similar to the upgrades approved for Pimlico, Toowoomba and Loganlea TAFE Queensland campuses in 2018-19.

“More than 800 students annually will benefit from the upgrade at the Caboolture campus which will also allow for new courses to be offered.”

50C A DAY FOR 6 MONTHS: SUBSCRIBE TO CABOOLTURE HERALD & THE COURIER MAIL

It comes a month after construction began to double the size of the Caboolture Hospital as part of a multimillion-dollar expansion.

Ms Lamb said where there is growth, there is a demand for new jobs.

“We’re an ageing population, we’re a booming population; Moreton Bay is going to double its population by 2036 and this is going to be a huge growth area,” she said.

“Where jobs are being created we’ve got to make sure we have the skills and training for people to do those jobs and we need to do what we can to make sure we invest in skills and training.”