Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games on track with Carrara venue now open

The venue that will host the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) opening and closing ceremonies is now complete, with the purpose-built $105 million Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre in Carrara officially opened today. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the GC2018 venue would host the opening and closing ceremonies and the athletics, badminton, wrestling…

Turnbull Government to deliver $6 million for prostate cancer nurses

The Turnbull Government is providing almost $6 million to continue support for prostate cancer specialist nurses in 15 locations across Australia, with a focus on regional areas. Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer affecting men, with over 16,000 Australians expected to be diagnosed this year and although it has a 95 per…

New headspace centre for Whyalla

The Turnbull Government will establish a new headspace mental health service in Whyalla, South Australia to provide ongoing support to young people in the region. This service will provide a welcome boost to local mental health services, in an area previously identified as being of high need. Federal Member for Grey, Rowan Ramsey, said the…

Melbourne Doorstop

E&OE… Topics: Opening of Holmesglen Private Hospital; $5.9 million for prostate cancer nurses; Australian Olympic Committee; Budget GREG HUNT: I am delighted to be here today with Tim Wilson and Robert Cooke for the official opening of Holmesglen Private Hospital. This is a partnership between Healthscope and Holmesglen. It’s exactly what should be happening in…

New campaign to encourage further childhood vaccination

The Turnbull Government is rolling out a new $5.5 million immunisation awareness campaign to encourage Australian parents and carers to get their kids vaccinated. While Australia’s immunisation rates are already high, the Government wants all Australian children fully vaccinated before they start school. Research shows that when people are fully informed about the benefits of…

Everybody loses with Labor’s secret plan to gut Private Health Insurance

Labor’s secret plan to abolish or slash the Private Health Insurance rebate, as revealed today by The Australian, would be devastating for millions of Australian families. Labor has always hated Private Health Insurance. In Government, Labor cut $4 billion from the Private Health Insurance rebate and means tested it. Tanya Plibersek has even gloated about…

Interview with Carrie Bickmore Channel Ten, The Project

E&OE… Topics: Brain cancer funding CARRIE BICKMORE: Well, Greg Hunt is the Health Minister and he joins us now. Minister, we understand that you’ve spoken to Chloe’s dad, Dustin, this afternoon. What did you have to say to him? GREG HUNT: Thanks very much, Carrie. I did speak with Dustin, and as a dad of…

Budget to deliver telehealth boost for rural psychological services

People living in rural and remote regions of Australia will get the same access to psychologists as those living in our major cities, under a new telehealth initiative set to roll out later this year. A major barrier to rural residents accessing vital mental health treatment will be removed with the introduction of a new…

Transcript – Sydney doorstop

E&OE… Topics: Launch of the national influenza vaccine program for 2017; budget; Medicare GREG HUNT: I’m delighted to be here today at the Northbridge Medical Practice with Dr Brian Morton, with the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy and of course the Member for North Sydney, Trent Zimmerman. Today we are launching flu shots and…

2017 influenza vaccines now available

Vaccinations to protect Australians against four strains of this year’s influenza virus are now available – and are free of charge to those most at risk of getting sick this flu season. I urge all Australians to consider getting a flu shot this year. Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for any person six months of…