20/7/2010

The Tasmanian Greens candidate for Denison, Dr Geoff Couser, began full time campaigning in the electorate talking about the issue closest to his and many people’s hearts – meaningful health reform.

“There is a lot more to meaningful, long-lasting health reform than just building a new Royal Hobart Hospital.” Dr Couser commented. “A functioning and viable health system is about having good access to primary care, elective surgery, dental care and mental health services.

 

“The ALP proposes a so-called policy of health reform. However, their proposal is simply to throw more tax-payer funds at exactly the same system. It’s a short-term fix that will invariably lead to long-term failure.

 

“The ALP’s proposal does not address the issues of inefficiencies in the system nor the rapidly aging population and the pressures that this will place on our health system in the very near future.

 

“Unless we fix those issues around staffing and processes all the money in the world will not deliver us better health care or the value for money that we deserve.

 

“Their plan is not sustainable or effective. Only the Greens can understand and therefore deliver meaningful health reform.”

 

Dr Couser is enjoying the first few days of the election campaign, talking at a variety of functions and door-knocking in the area.