Independent Federal Member for Indi, Helen Haines, has welcomed tax cuts and funding to deliver more training places for doctors in regional Australia under key announcements in Tuesday’s federal Budget.

Dr Haines’ advocacy for a Commonwealth injection of funding into the regional healthcare workforce was substantially reflected in the 2025-2026 budget.

In her Indi budget submission, she requested that the government provide additional funding, including via Commonwealth Supported Places, for regionally-based medicine university courses.

The government announced that 200 rural GPs will be trained every year by 2028, as part of the $606.3 million committed in the budget.

In addition to this, the budget revealed that universities wanting to access the $35.7 million for 100 new Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) a year in medicine must demonstrate evidence-based strategies that encourage medical students to pursue a career in general practice, particularly in regional, rural and remote areas.

“This is a critical announcement and a win for regional areas facing critical shortages of healthcare workers, with a commitment to 50 percent of additional General Practitioner trainee places being in regional and rural Australia,” said Dr Haines.

She also welcomed the requirement on CSP funding for regionally-based medicine and said she would be following up with universities and government alike to make sure it is being met.

Dr Haines also welcomed other healthcare inclusions such as cheaper medicines by lowering the Pharmaceutical Medicines Scheme general patient co-payment from $31.60 to $25 from 1 January 2026 and $7.9 billion to expand eligibility for bulk billing incentives.

“We know that Australians are failing to fill their scripts for medicines or failing to go to the GP, just because it costs too much,” she said. “These measures will help alleviate that.”

Dr Haines however criticised the government for a lack of dedicated funding for building hospitals in regional Australia.

“Under this budget, once again there is no fund for health services like Albury Wodonga Health to bid into for a new hospital,” she said.

“Until federal governments realise that Commonwealth financial support is absolutely necessary, regional and rural health services will keep struggling to provide the healthcare their communities deserve.”

Dr Haines added that the surprise inclusion of further modest tax cuts was an ‘election sweetener’ but nevertheless would be welcomed by Australians facing continued cost-of-living pressures. 

Support needed for power upgrades

Dr Haines said more needed to be done for people on low incomes and to help households and small business electrify.

“Every dollar of relief makes a big difference to everyday Australians right now,” she said.

“Almost 5000 people in Indi are on JobSeeker and there are no provisions in this budget for Commonwealth Rent Assistance, Job Seeker allowance or other Commonwealth support payments.

“What is also still missing for households and businesses is support to electrify.

“With the cost of domestic gas, Australians know that the best energy cost saver is rooftop solar and electrification.

“Dr Haines also said it was disappointing the government had failed to continue support for small businesses to reduce costs through energy upgrades.

“The government’s own budget papers tout the $56.7 million in grants for small businesses to access energy upgrades, such as replacing inefficient appliances and improving heating systems so businesses can save money on their energy bills but in the fine print it’s clear there’s actually no new money for this program,” Dr Haines pointed out.

Indi was the second most successful electorate in the program, with $2.25 million awarded under two rounds.

Dr Haines is also angry that regional infrastructure programs like the Growing Regions and the regional Precincts and Partnerships Program, along with regional roads and housing infrastructure funding, had no further financial committment in the budget.

“The Growing Regions Program exhausted its funding and the Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program is due to expire after this financial year,” she explained.

“Regional councils and organisations rely on competitive grant programs like these for key projects and community infrastructure.

“The appalling state of our local roads is evidence that much more support is needed for our local government road programs,” Dr Haines emphasised. 

This article appeared in Corryong Courier, 27 March 2025.