NEWS DESK
Crewther wins preselection Emergency situation? A stoush over funding for Peninsula Health has broken out between the state and federal governments.
Governments clash over health Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au A WAR of words about money has broken out between the federal and state government over funding for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula health services. State Labor Health Minister Jill Hennessy has accused the federal government of a “sneaky counting trick� that will cut $3.29 million from Peninsula Health’s annual budget. “These cuts are a direct attack on Peninsula Health, and will see patients waiting longer for surgeries and treatment,� Ms Hennessy said. “This is not good enough, and peninsula patients deserve better.� The state government says the Liberal federal government has backflipped on National Health Funding Pool arrangements agreed with the previous Liberal state government in a move that will see “$73 million ripped away from Victorian public
hospital patients� this year. Ms Hennessy said the effects of the budget “black hole� would be felt at Frankston Hospital as early as next month. Federal Health Minister Sussan Ley said the administrator of the National Health Funding Pool had advised the Victorian government that its 2013-14 funding statement is “outside of agreed calculations� within a national partnership agreement between states and the federal government on improving public hospital services. “Victoria was attempting to gain a $73 million windfall at the expense of other states and territories,� Ms Ley said. “The Commonwealth has made it clear that all states and territories must be treated equitably and comply with the same formula. “This is an improper grab for cash by State Labor which is more concerned with playing politics than the health and wellbeing of local communities.� Ms Hennessy said funding cuts to
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health services across Victoria “could have been used to treat 72,000 chemotherapy patients, attend to 180,000 emergency department presentations, or provide almost 12,000 elective surgeries�. “This decision means Malcolm Turnbull will claw back $73 million in health funding from Victoria, leaving hospitals across Victoria facing cuts of millions of dollars to fill this blackhole,� she said. When asked if Peninsula Health had been consulted about the funding shortfall executive director of finance David Anderson said: “We are still working through the implications at this stage.� Disputes over public health funding between federal and states are a regular occurrence. Former prime minister Kevin Rudd promised, but ultimately was unable to implement, a federal “takeover� of responsibility for hospital funding across Australia in exchange for the states giving up some GST revenue.
KINGSTON councillor Paul Peulich and former Carrum MP Donna Bauer have missed out on Liberal preselection for the seat of Dunkley at this year’s federal election. Chris Crewther, former CEO of the Mildura Development Corporation, won the Liberal nomination in a close run race featuring eight candidates. The vote by Liberal Party members came down to the wire between Ms Bauer and Mr Crewther on Sunday afternoon (21 February) at a party convention in Mt Eliza with Mr Crewther, 31, emerging as the preferred candidate. Mr Crewther unsuccessfully contested the seat of Mallee in 2013 and is a former staffer of Victorian senator Michael Ronaldson. Sitting Liberal MP for Dunkley Bruce Billson will retire from politics after this year’s federal election, yet to be called by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, after his demotion from his small business ministerial position in cabinet last year after the ousting of former prime minister Tony Abbott. Mr Crewther, who has a Frankstonbased business consultancy, and is
Good luck: Outgoing Dunkley Liberal MP Bruce Billson, left, congratulates Chris Crewther on his nomination as Liberal candidate for Dunkley.
married with a six-month old daughter, will face Labor candidate Peta Murphy, a criminal defence lawyer, in the Dunkley electorate contest. Dunkley includes the suburbs Frankston, Langwarrin, Mt Eliza, Mornington, Seaford and Skye. Neil Walker
Girl hit by garbage truck dies A TEENAGE girl struck by a garbage truck in Langwarrin earlier this month has died in hospital. The 17-year-old Langwarrin resident was crossing the intersection of Cranbourne-Frankston Rd and Long St when she was struck about 8.10am on Tuesday 16 February. She was airlifted to Royal Melbourne hospital with life-threatening injuries and passed away Thursday (25 Febru-
ary). The 54-year-old Frankston driver of the truck has been interviewed by police but released without charge. Sergeant Kris Hamilton, of police media, said investigations were continuing into the fatality, and detectives are appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at crimestoppersvic.com.au
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Frankston Times 29 February 2016
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