Moncrieff Media

Super GP clinics not so super after all

10 December 2009

The Rudd Labor Government’s snub of the Gold Coast for one of the Prime Minister’s much-hyped Super GP clinics may not be such a loss after all, says local MP Steven Ciobo.

Mr Ciobo’s comments come after a News Ltd report that the Labor Government’s Super GP clinic programme was in tatters, with just one clinic operating after two years, much posturing and endless new-clinic announcements.

“The only thing super about these clinics seems to be the time it is taking to get them built and running,” Mr Ciobo said.

“As one of the fastest-growing regions in Australia and with one of the worst-performing health systems, one of these clinics for the Gold Coast would have been a no-brainer, you would think.

“I thought it was outrageous the Coast didn’t get one, but given the latest revelations, perhaps it’s no great loss after all.”

News Ltd reported today only one of the 35 so-called super clinics is operational after more than two years since the election.

“This was another grandiose Rudd promise at the last election, up there with computers in schools, GroceryChoice, FuelWatch, indigenous housing and a takeover of the health system.

“And it’s another grandiose promise which has failed. And it’s yet another of the failures which the Rudd Government is trying to spin so much it’s almost airborne,” Mr Ciobo said.

Mr Ciobo said even the Australian Medical Association had opposed the Rudd Government’s concept of Super GP clinics, preferring instead to offer funding to extend and expand services at existing facilities.