Promises haven’t been delivered
Families in regional Queensland have been dealt another blow, after Labor failed to deliver on their maternity promises, six months after they were announced.
On 17 July 2022, the Health Minister announced a range of initiatives she claimed would help ease the Queensland Maternity Crisis, but Queenslanders are still waiting for them to be delivered.
These included training 20 GP Obstetricians in regional, rural and remote areas, to allow maternity services closed under Labor to be reopened.
But a Parliamentary Question on Notice by the Opposition has revealed the training still hasn’t begun, more than six months after the announcement was originally made by Shannon Fentiman.
The Opposition can also reveal there is no requirement for the doctors undertaking the training to work in communities currently on bypass (Weipa, Cooktown, Chinchilla or Biloela), or to even remain in Queensland after receiving their qualification.
Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates said the false hope pedalled by the Health Minister shows she cares more about announcements than healing the Maternity Crisis.
“This is another example of Labor and Shannon Fentiman failing to follow through on an announcement,” Ms Bates said.
“Announcements won’t fix the Queensland Maternity Crisis and won’t help families forced to travel across Queensland to give birth safely.
“Shannon Fentiman needs to explain when maternity services that have been closed or bypassed on Labor’s watch will finally reopen, including Biloela, Chinchilla, Cooktown and Weipa.
“Making false promises only leads to more anguish and anxiety in communities where women can’t birth.
“Labor created the Maternity Crisis after closing 37 maternity services across Queensland.
“Regional communities have been left in limbo because the Palaszczuk Government has failed to properly plan, resource and run Queensland Health.
“Shannon Fentiman must start being up front with Queenslanders and take action to heal the Queensland Maternity Crisis.
“Regional maternity services are a priority for the LNP, because it’s a priority for Queenslanders.
“The LNP has the Right Priorities for Queensland’s future with easier access to health services, including re-opening maternity services in regional Queensland.”