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Sport
YEE HAW A SOLD out crowd flooded the 44th annual Merrijig Rodeo over the Labour Day long weekend in perfect weather conditions. The crowned Rodeo Queen for 2022 Emily Furniss opened proceedings with a victory lap around the arena. Full event wrap and photos in next week’s Mansfield Courier. PHOTO: Shaye Hughes
Dan needs to fund hospital Senator S t ffor Vi Victoria t i Jane J Hume H says y Daniel D i l Andrews A d has h left l ft Mansfi M field ld hospital h pit l wanting ti g AS was published in the Mansfield Courier cover story last week, Independent federal member for Indi Helen Haines recently visited Mansfield District Hospital and called on the Federal Government to establish a $1 billion rural hospital fund. It’s hoped the fund would help finance a new Mansfield hospital. “We stress that we need a new facility and not a refurbishment,” said Mansfield hospital chief executive officer Cameron Butler. “We need the master plan
BY JARRAH LOH jloh@ nemedia.com.au
to be funded and we want it quickly. “Our buildings are very old and this has been highlighted during the pandemic.” Mansfield hospital’s master plan was submitted over two years ago, yet there has been no movement on funding since then. The hospital also took $50,000 worth of damage during last year’s earthquake. “From Mansfield to Bright
and Benalla we’ve got small rural health services across Indi who barely get a look-in when it comes to hospital infrastructure funding,” Dr Haines said. “We have aging infrastructure and growing populations. “Case in point is Mansfield - one of the fastest growing populations in rural Victoria. “We have facilities here which are no longer fit for purpose. “In the past we had a fund, and I want to see that re-established.” But Senator for Victoria
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“Where has Helen Haines been on this issue for the last two years? “It is very convenient that with an election only a few months away, Dr Haines begins speaking out about local issues. “And this begs the question - with Dan Andrews and Victorian Labor failing us, why does Helen Haines side with Labor in Parliament voting with Labor and the Greens 80 per cent of the time in 2021? “It makes no sense that Helen Haines has decided to side with Labor when
Jane Hume says she is well aware of Mansfield’s hospital needs, and that the funding should have already come from the State Government. “Helen Haines has pointed out what everyone else already knows - that Dan Andrews’ Victorian Labor Government neglects their North East health responsibilities,” said Senator Hume. “The State Labor Government have failed to fund Mansfield District Hospital’s Master Plan two years after it was submitted to the Victorian Health Building Authority.
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they neglect the North East like this.” Senator Hume said that even though she is the Morrison Government’s representative for Indi, and a federal treasury minister who speaks to the treasurer on a daily basis, Dr Haines has never contacted her about the Mansfield hospital. “Issues regarding Mansfield’s hospital and aged care facilities was brought to the Federal Government’s attention by local Liberal state member, Cindy McLeish MLA,” said Senator Hume. ■ Continued page 3