The Andrews Labor Government has gutted more than $100 million from its Health Protection budget, leaving breast cancer patients in regional Victoria facing the frightening prospect of losing vital support from specialised nurses.
McGrath Foundation breast care nurses do a critical job offering care and emotional support to patients throughout the course of their treatment, and they have the right to know whether Daniel Andrews plans to support their services into the future.
The abhorrent cut comes after Victoria experienced an alarming reduction in breast screenings caused by lockdowns introduced by the Andrews Labor Government.
Shadow Minister for Health, Georgie Crozier, has demanded the Government explain exactly why it plans to cut funding to crucial services.
“Daniel Andrews must come clean on how much he plans to slash from services like the McGrath Foundation, which will deny regional Victorians a vital source of support and care,” Ms Crozier said.
“These highly-trained nurses are feeling exhausted, unheard and unrecognised at a time they should be supported, and the fact their funding now faces the very real prospect of being cut is very concerning.
“The McGrath Foundation relies on State Government funding to continue to deliver its essential support to Victorians at the time they need it most.
“Labor’s budget blowouts are enough to build 2400 Breast Cancer Centres right across the state.
“Daniel Andrews has been Premier or Health Minister for 11 of the past 15 years. He is responsible for this mess, and only the Liberals and Nationals will get us out of it.”
