Constituency questions
Polwarth electorate
Richard RIORDAN (Polwarth) (14:42): (1) My question is to the Minister for Health. Can the Minister for Health please tell the people of the Geelong, Surf Coast and Colac Otway regions what she plans to do to replace the 30 per cent loss to critical and important maternity services in the Geelong region? The minister and her Geelong representatives have been asleep at the wheel as they have allowed a 30 per cent reduction in the availability of maternity suites to women and families across not only Geelong but south-west Victoria. The minister well knows she is responsible for workforce planning. Her excuse that there are not enough medical professionals in the Geelong region is entirely at her behest, and it is her responsibility to ensure that the fastest growing region in Australia has the necessary family services to support growing families, to support jobs and to support the welfare of all.