ASSISTANT MINISTER EMMA MCBRIDE: This is an incredible day, and I want to congratulate all of the 37 graduates for the contribution that they’ve already made through their placements and will make to the future of healthcare in the country. I was talking to Chloe, she was talking to me about from Boots to Scrubs. And we know that the most reliable way to grow and strengthen our rural and regional health workforce is by training local students at local universities like Charles Sturt University, providing them quality placements, and then the opportunity to continue their medical career in more regional and remote Australia.
JOURNALIST: Absolutely. How bad is the crisis out in the bush?
MCBRIDE: We know that for too long. it's been too hard for people in the country to be able to access care. GPs have had their books closed, there's been long wait times and what our government has done since we were elected and with my particular responsibility is really boost investments in medical training. And I would like to congratulate Charles Sturt University on being awarded 10 additional Commonwealth supported medical places which will commence next year in 2026, and we've invested 100 new Commonwealth supported places across the country. We've invested in bulk billing in Medicare. The bulk billing rates here are now over 82 per cent. So I know that there is more work to do, but it's investments in medical schools like Charles Sturt University that are bridging that gap, that are making that difference and I want to congratulate the university, the students and the work that they've done and the contribution they'll make.
JOURNALIST: Obviously this is a great achievement to have 10 more. We just did hear the Vice-Chancellor saying there’s scope for almost 100. From a government point of view, what's the potential around that? I mean, can we see even more in the future?
MCBRIDE: Yes, we will. So we've seen an additional 10 places here, 100 across the country that will commence next year. There's also a Stream B of this program, an additional 50 places that will be open through a competitive process as well, and I of course encourage Charles Sturt University and other regional universities to put forward applications. And the decisions are made by an independent advisory, but I want to see continued investment in the region through the Rural Health and Multidisciplinary Training program The Commonwealth contributes about $250 million every year. The investment in Charles Sturt University was $22 million in capital investment, close to $9 million a year, and it'll be an additional close to $2.5 million each year with this additional ten places So strong investment in rural students to grow a rural and regional workforce, and more to come.
JOURNALIST: Do you- I mean, how big of a game player is this university in addressing our regional health crisis?
MCBRIDE: It's significant to see the Charles Sturt University medical program commence five years ago, to see the first 37 graduates today, to see someone like Dr Cameron Martin, who grew up in Tamworth, is First Nations and will be returning to Tamworth as an intern. To see Chloe and the work that she's done through Boots to Scrubs and the difference that she will be making in Broken Hill next year. This university and universities like it are significantly building the capacity of our rural and remote health workforce, and I'm pleased to be here on behalf of the Commonwealth to show our support and to congratulate the university, the community and the students today.