A Select Committee has been appointed to examine the implementation of the 44 recommendations of the Upper House Inquiry into Rural and Regional Health, in one of the first acts of the new NSW Parliament.

It will consist of the Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr as Chair, Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin, Member for Cessnock Clayton Barr, Member for South Coast Liza Butler, Member for Monaro Steve Whan, Member for Myall Lakes Tanya Thompson and the Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams.

The Rural and Regional Health Inquiry, which NSW Labor fought so hard to establish in opposition, highlighted the crisis facing rural, remote, and regional services, and this Select Committee will ensure they get the support they need to care for their communities.

Quotes attributable to Liza Butler:

“I am proud to be a member of this Select Committee, healthcare in our community is something I fought hard for during the election campaign, and something I will continue to fight for until the South Coast has the health services we deserve.”

“Rural and regional healthcare is in crisis, for far too long health services in our communities have been left behind and this Select Committee will finally address this.”

“The previous government had forgot about people and that was evident across health services on the South Coast. That’s why I committed to improving services at Milton Hospital such as, a CT scanner, investments to the Community Cancer Centre and returning birthing services. And making sure the Shoalhaven Hospital upgrade gets underway.