PM to unveil nurse $20.5 million funds in Tasmanian visit
THE Turnbull Government will announce continued funding for three Tasmanian breast care nurses as part of a $20.5 million national commitment to the McGrath Foundation’s breast care program.
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THE Turnbull Government will announce continued funding for three Tasmanian breast care nurses as part of a $20.5 million national commitment to the McGrath Foundation’s program.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will announce the funding in Hobart today, guaranteeing the future of 57 Commonwealth-funded breast care nurses across Australia from June 30.
Mr Turnbull is also expected to meet Premier Will Hodgman and attend an afternoon tea at City Hall at 3.30pm before heading to Launceston for the Liberal Party state council meeting tomorrow.
The Joint Commonwealth and Tasmanian Economic Council, which has not met since April, will not meet.
The Tasmanian visit is Mr Turnbull’s second since the Liberals lost three Lower House seats and a Senator in the election on July 2.
Tasmania has McGrath Foundation-funded breast care nurses in Burnie and Launceston and a Commonwealth-funded nurse in Hobart.
The four-year funding from 2017-18 is an increase on the $18.5 million over the previous four-year period from 2013.
“This new four-year extension to the Government’s previous funding agreement with the McGrath Foundation will ensure this valuable support and co-ordination of care continues for patients with breast cancer,” Mr Turnbull will tell guests at the Breastscreen Tasmania announcement.
The McGrath Foundation, a charity set up by former Test cricketer Glen McGrath in memory of his late wife Jane, has 110 breast care nurses, of which 57 are funded by the Commonwealth. They operate in about 55 locations across the nation, including many regional and rural communities.
McGrath Foundation chief executive Petra Buchanan said the funds were greatly appreciated but there was still 100 more nurses required across Australia.
“There is still a dramatic need because of Australia’s ageing population,” Ms Buchanan said.
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