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As Mayor of the Whitsundays, I hear firsthand from residents about the challenges they face every day. One of the most pressing concerns I continue to hear, time and time again, is the shortage of doctors in our region.
Right now, too many people in our community are struggling to get a timely appointment with a GP. Families, seniors, and workers are waiting weeks, sometimes even months, for basic medical care.
This is simply not good enough. Our residents deserve access to quality healthcare, no matter where they live.
With the federal election on the horizon, I am calling on all sides of politics to commit to better GP funding and real solutions to bring more doctors to regional communities like ours.
The Whitsundays is a growing region. More people are choosing to call our beautiful part of the world home, and we are experiencing record-breaking tourism numbers. But our healthcare system is not keeping pace.
I’ve spoken to local GP clinics, and the reality is clear—they are at capacity. Some have closed their books to new patients. Others simply don’t have enough doctors to meet the demand. This puts enormous pressure on our hospital system, forcing people to seek emergency care for issues that should be treated in a GP clinic.
Regional communities like ours should not have to compete with big cities to attract doctors. We need better funding models and incentives to encourage more medical professionals to live and work in places like the Whitsundays.
I am advocating for stronger federal government investment in regional healthcare, including a commitment to medical workforce planning, ensuring that regional Australia is not left behind when it comes to doctor shortages.
The Whitsundays is a world-class destination and a fantastic place to live. But access to quality healthcare is not a luxury—it’s a basic right.
As Mayor, I will continue to push for these critical changes in the lead-up to the election. I encourage our community to make their voices heard by asking your local candidates where they stand on regional healthcare, and demand action.
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