Aged care, health and a second oval for Trafalgar were on the agenda when Member for Monash Mary Aldred hosted federal shadow minister for health, aged care and sport Anne Ruston recently.
Ms Aldred organised an aged care forum with aged care providers from across the Monash electorate to discuss home care packages, financial sustainability and other priorities for older Australians in Monash.
At Trafalgar, representatives of the football and cricket clubs reinforced the desperate need for a second oval and upgraded facilities, particularly women's change rooms.
A regional health roundtable also was held with participants from Monash Rural Health, Federation University, Latrobe Community Healthcare and the West Gippsland Hospital to discuss doctor training and GP availability.
Senator Ruston and Ms Aldred also met with West Gippsland Healthcare Group chief executive officer Shannon Wight and toured the hospital, to push the case for a new hospital.
"A new West Gippsland Hospital is the number one priority for this region and I'll take every opportunity I can to keep pushing the case. State Labor has been dragged to the line with a commitment but we're still yet to see any money flow toward turning the first sod," Ms Aldred said.
Sen Ruston said it was clear the "one-size-fits-all approach" developed in Canberra for aged care and health systems did not work for regional communities.
"The Albanese Labor Government proves time and time again that it does not understand the unique challenges faced by patients, providers and health workers in regional Australia.
"We need to make sure that aged care reforms are prioritising the delivery of quality care to older Australians. Regional providers need support so that they can focus on delivering high-quality care to their residents, rather than on filling out reports as they struggle under the growing regulatory burden.
"We also heard about the importance of locally trained doctors to ensure the people of Monash have timely access to the healthcare they need - because we know that if junior doctors train out in the bush, they are more likely to stay and work there. The Coalition remains absolutely focused on regional healthcare worker attraction and retention," Sen Ruston said.