The National Rural Health Alliance – Australia’s peak non-government organisation for rural and remote health – welcomes Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie as Minister for Sport, Rural Health and Regional Communications.
Speaking on behalf of the Alliance’s 34 Member Bodies, Chief Executive Officer Mark Diamond offered his congratulations on the appointment:
“Senator McKenzie is well known for her support for better services for rural communities and we look forward to working with her to improve health outcomes for the seven million people who live in rural and remote areas of Australia.”
Noting the re-establishment of rural health to a full portfolio responsibility, Mr Diamond added that Senator McKenzie’s appointment indicates a welcome boost to the status of rural health:
“These are important times – the recent appointment of Professor Paul Worley as Australia’s first National Rural Health Commissioner and the elevation of rural health to the Cabinet table are great indictors of a renewed commitment to the health and wellbeing of people in regional, rural and remote Australia.”
Mr Diamond also acknowledged the valued contribution of the Hon Dr David Gillespie MP who will take up the role of Assistant Minister for Children and Families:
“With his considerable experience as a rural doctor, Dr Gillespie has a keen understanding of the challenges in delivering health services in the bush. He has been a strong advocate for the needs of regional, rural and remote Australia and made a significant contribution that will have a lasting impact. We wish him continued success in his new role.”
Mark Diamond
Chief Executive Officer
0428 817 090