A big thank you to the Member for Barwon, Roy Butler, for taking me on a tour of part – a small part – of his vast electorate this week to research the challenges and opportunities of health care service provision, as part of my Rural Health Action plan.

Roy and I met with patients, agencies and service providers to get a clearer picture of how remote and rural communities are missing out on the health services they need.

I’m pictured here with Roy and representatives of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Maari Maa Aboriginal Health Corporation – just two of the many agencies working hard with limited resources to care for their communities.

Remote, rural and regional health is in great need of reform but it’s clear that communities are determined to bring about positive change through my health plan, and I look forward to continuing to work together to bring about the improvements needed for our future.