Our Plan for Healthcare

The Nationals WA have vowed to restore maternity services at Carnarvon Hospital within the first 100 days of forming Government, warning that the WA Country Health Service (WACHS) board must resign if they fail to meet this directive.

Leader of The Nationals WA and Member for Moore Shane Love MLA said the ongoing closure of maternity services under the Cook Labor Government was an “absolute disgrace”.

“For more than 1,000 days, it has been impossible to have a baby in Carnarvon. This is the largest community in the Gascoyne and WA Labor has completely abandoned it,” Mr Love said.

“WA Labor promised this would be a ‘temporary’ closure, yet almost three years later, mothers are still forced to travel hundreds of kilometres to Geraldton or Perth just to give birth.

“The Cook Labor Government and WACHS have utterly failed to make the restoration of maternity services a priority.”

Mr Love said it was the core responsibility of WACHS to deliver high-quality healthcare in the regions, yet under WA Labor’s watch, Carnarvon had been left behind.

“The Nationals in Government will direct WACHS to use all resources available to restore maternity services at Carnarvon Hospital – no more delays, no more excuses,” Mr Love said.

“When I toured Carnarvon Hospital in April 2024, WACHS staff assured me maternity services would be restored imminently. Yet nearly 10 months later, nothing has changed. This is a failure of leadership.

“Reopening maternity services is entirely achievable in the short-term, the only thing missing is the political will to make it happen. WA deserves a Country Health Service that actually cares about country people.”

Shadow Minister for Regional Health, Martin Aldridge MLC, said more than 200 families had been affected by the closure, with some women being diverted as far as Busselton – over 1,000 kilometres from home.

“WA Labor’s failure to restore Carnarvon maternity services has cost taxpayers nearly $1 million in travel and accommodation subsidies alone,” Mr Aldridge said.

“But the biggest cost is to families. Mothers forced to leave their homes, support networks, and communities during one of the most important times in their lives.”

Mr Aldridge said the lack of maternity services also impacts broader women’s health services in the region.

“Obstetricians don’t just deliver babies – they also provide support during pregnancy and deliver post-natal care, as well as providing critical healthcare for women at all life stages.”

“Restoring maternity services in Carnarvon will reduce the need for costly, time consuming travel to Geraldton and Perth while also ensuring better access to essential healthcare for women.”

The Nationals WA have made an election promise to invest the largest ever increase to the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS), boosting the program by $100 million over four years.

PATS provides financial subsidies for regional residents to reduce the cost of accessing healthcare services that are not available locally, but the Cook Labor Government’s current program leaves individuals hundreds of dollars out-of-pocket.

The Nationals $100 million investment is part of their vision to ensure that all West Australians, regardless of where they live, have access to high-quality healthcare without being hit financially.

Lachlan Hunter, Nationals WA candidate for Central Wheatbelt said the program will be expanded to include more health services and subsidies would also be increased significantly.

“For the first time, regional people will be able to access allied health and dental under PATS.

“We will also increase the fuel subsidy from 26 cents to 40 cents per kilometre and lift the accommodation subsidy from $110 to $150 per night.

“This is the most significant investment into PATS since its inception in 1978 and it is well overdue.” Mr Hunter said.

“Under Labor, if you live in the Central Wheatbelt and your child needs to see a dentist or access allied health services, you will be totally out of pocket for the travel and accommodation costs to access these services in Perth.

“Now, under The Nationals’ plan, that family will be reimbursed to reflect a realistic proportion of the costs for fuel, flights, or hotel accommodation while you are away from home.”

Mr Hunter added that the increased subsidies would go along way for people who are struggling during a cost-of-living crisis.

“This is just one way The Nationals WA are supporting those who are struggling with the rising cost of living.”

Mr Hunter added that this investment to PATS would help remove barriers to people accessing healthcare, and lead to healthier happier communities.

“We know that all too often, people go without treatment because it is too hard to travel or too expensive, and we want to ensure we’re doing everything in our power to remove these barriers.”

The $100 million investment will be funded over four years under a revitalised Royalties for Regions program.

The Nationals WA have unveiled an election commitment to get regional healthcare back-on-track after eight years of neglect under Labor.

The Nationals in Government will introduce a $400 million Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF), funded through a revitalised Royalties for Regions program, to fast-track critical health infrastructure in the regions.

Lachlan Hunter, candidate for Central Wheatbelt said the healthcare of regional West Australians has suffered for too long under the Cook Labor Government.

“This Government has poured billions of dollars into vanity projects in the city, while our hospitals and medical services in the regions are run-down and worn-out.

“Labor has chosen to put multiple regional hospital re-developments on the backburner across the state including Meekatharra, Mullewa, Tom Price and Laverton, with these communities not seeing any progress in nearly a decade.

“In the Central Wheatbelt electorate, Cunderdin Hospital has waited over 10 years for a purpose-built palliative care unit, with the community’s calls and concerns continually being ignored by this Labor Government.

“The healthcare of West Australians for this Government should be a necessity, not a choice.” said Mr Hunter.

He said that maintaining healthcare infrastructure was also key to building thriving communities.

“Those who live, work and travel in regional Western Australia deserve the same access to healthcare as they would in the city, and ensuring medical services are maintained is key to sustaining regional communities and helping them to grow.

“Modern fit-for-purpose facilities also play a critical role in attracting and retaining staff – a challenge many regional communities across the state are facing during a healthcare crisis.”

Maintaining regional hospitals is also key to alleviating pressure on the healthcare system in metropolitan Perth.

“We know that the healthcare system in Perth is struggling, so it is crucial we maintain healthcare infrastructure and services to take the pressure off.” said Mr Hunter.

“The Nationals in Government will make sure that every Western Australian has access to high quality healthcare no matter where they live.”