Independent candidate for Cowper, Caz Heise, has today outlined her plan to address the healthcare crisis in regional Australia, with a focus on GP shortages, aged care, the NDIS, and mental health services.
“As a nurse, hospital manager, and regional healthcare leader, I’ve spent my life improving health services in our community. I’ve seen firsthand the challenges people face in accessing care, and am deeply committed to improving our healthcare system,” Caz said.
Caz’s health priorities include:
- Improving GP access by increasing Medicare rebates, strengthening regional training pathways, and offering incentives like HECS/HELP relief for doctors who work in the regions.
- Fixing aged care by addressing workforce shortages, improving pay and conditions, and ensuring providers are held accountable for high-quality care.
- NDIS reform to cut wait times, remove bureaucratic barriers, and crack down on providers exploiting the system.
- Expanding mental health services by increasing funding for local organisations, ensuring regional communities get their fair share of mental health funding, and supporting the development of more specialised services.
Caz also stressed the need for a bigger conversation on preventative health, workforce shortages, and long-term investment in healthcare.
“We can’t keep relying on stop-gap measures. We need a system that keeps people well, not just treats them when they’re sick. That means real investment in prevention, ensuring our healthcare workforce is trained and retained locally, and making sure regional communities don’t miss out.”
Caz is currently undertaking extensive consultation with the community and local healthcare sector. There are so many great organisations in our region, and so many visionary people dedicated to improving our healthcare system.
“I invite all members of our community to get in touch if they would like to be part of this co-design process. This is politics and policy done differently.”
“Healthcare is an absolute priority for me.”