The Nationals have committed to a $53.6-million boost to the Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme, which will deliver significant increases in travel and accommodation subsidies for country Victorians who need to travel long distances for specialist medical care.
Member for Lowan and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Emma Kealy said the commitment would provide much-needed financial relief for regional patients and their families, particularly those requiring ongoing treatment for cancer and other serious illnesses.
“Living in country Victoria shouldn’t mean paying hundreds or thousands of dollars more just to access the healthcare you need,” Ms Kealy said.
“I know how far people in our communities have to travel for specialist appointments and treatment. It’s not just the cost of fuel or accommodation. It’s time away from work, being separated from family and the added stress when you’re already dealing with a health challenge.
“People from Horsham, Hamilton and our smaller communities regularly travel to Ballarat, Geelong or Melbourne for treatment. Those costs add up incredibly quickly, especially when appointments stretch over days or weeks.”
Under The Nationals’ commitment:
- Accommodation assistance will increase from $49.50 to $125 per night, an increase of more than 150 per cent.
- Private vehicle travel assistance will increase from 21 cents to 35 cents per kilometre, an increase of almost 67 per cent.
For a patient requiring 10 nights of eligible accommodation and 600 kilometres of travel, the changes could mean an additional $839 in financial assistance.
Ms Kealy said the current subsidy rates had failed to keep pace with rising accommodation and travel costs, leaving country families significantly out of pocket.
“When you’re undergoing chemotherapy, recovering from surgery or supporting a sick child, the last thing you should have to worry about is whether you can afford somewhere to stay near the hospital,” she said.
“Country patients shouldn’t be financially disadvantaged simply because the specialist care they need isn’t available close to home.
“This commitment recognises the real cost of accessing healthcare from rural and regional Victoria and will make a meaningful difference to families right across Lowan.”
Ms Kealy acknowledged the Grampians Health, the Leukaemia Foundation, Cancer Council Victoria and other health organisations that had advocated for improvements to the scheme alongside local residents.
“These organisations and regional patient advocates have worked hard over many years to highlight just how inadequate the existing subsidies have become. Their voices have helped secure this important commitment,” she said.
“The Nationals believe country Victorians deserve the same access to healthcare as people living in Melbourne, without being left to shoulder an unfair financial burden.
“This is what giving country Victoria its fair share looks like: practical support that makes a real difference when families need it most.”