The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) was disappointed to see that the body’s proposal to wipe the HECS debts of veterinary graduates who live and work in rural areas was not included in the Budget.
AVA President Dr Bronwyn Orr said “It’s unfortunate that our proposal to support veterinary graduates was not included – but also not entirely surprising given the budgetary pressures on the Federal Government,”
“The veterinary profession plays a critically important role in ensuring that commercial farms and their livestock remain healthy.”
“But fewer veterinary graduates are moving to the regions to fill these important roles, putting increasing pressure on the agricultural industry – a central pillar to Australia’s economy.”
“To boost the attraction of working in the regions, we have been calling on the Albanese Government to wipe the HECS debt for all veterinary graduates willing to live in the regions and use their skills to support agriculture.”
“We acknowledge this Budget has been a housekeeping one, focused on delivering key election commitments and promises.”
“We also acknowledge the productive discussions we’ve had to date with the Albanese Government on our proposal to wipe the HECS debt of our regional and rural veterinary graduates.”
“I look forward to continued engagement with the Federal Government on the key issues facing the veterinary profession – and hopefully the May 2023 Budget will have more support for our profession.”
Dr Orr made the following additional comments on the Federal Budget:
- “The AVA would like to see some of the additional fee-free TAFE courses included in the budget to be allocated to veterinary nursing courses to help ease the workforce shortages facing the profession.”
- “We welcome the bolstering of Australia’s Biosecurity System, and ask that some of the allocated $61 million goes towards animal disease detection performed by vets in private practice.”
- “We welcome the establishment of an Australian Centre for Disease Control. We advocated for this during the Federal Election, and would like the design to incorporate a one health framework as animal health, human health and environmental health are all interlinked and impact on each other.”
