QUEENSLAND’S peak medical body has released its election scorecard for the major parties, and the results for both are not exactly healthy.
ONE day out from the poll, the Australian Medical Association Queensland says it has been underwhelmed by both the Liberal National Party’s and Labor’s commitments to health.
Labor received ticks from the AMAQ for a plan to ban alcohol shots and cocktails in nightspots after midnight and a commitment to hire extra nurses, but was let down in other key areas. The Liberal National Party earned just one thumbs up from the AMAQ, for its promise to hire more doctors. The AMAQ had concerns about both sides’ commitment to tackling the obesity epidemic, improving care for dying Queenslanders and updating departmental IT systems. AMAQ president Shaun Rudd says it’s unfortunate that the economy and privatisation have dominated the election campaign. “The vital issue of health has been left on the waiting list,” he said. “Most voters put health at the top of their priorities so they’ll be disappointed at the lack of commitments during this campaign.”