The Victorian Liberal ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾s will act to keep Victoria open and safe from future pandemics by building Australia’s first dedicated infectious disease response centre.
After suffering the world’s longest lockdown, most days of school closures and highest number of job losses in the nation, Victoria needs a new plan to manage future pandemics and infectious diseases.
Over the last 18 months, every Victorian has paid the price of decades of underinvestment in our health system by Labor governments.
Instead of more spin and broken promises, we need a comprehensive healthcare system to contain future infectious diseases so we can recover and rebuild in confidence.
Therefore, a future Matthew Guy led Liberal ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾s Government will deliver up to $400 million to:
- Fund the delivery of up to 100 new negative pressure beds to be deployed across the state – including 50 permanent beds at the new infectious disease response centre;
- Train an additional 300 specialist nurses to be able to deliver care;
- Fund the co-location of non-COVID-19 infectious diseases at the new facility and;
- Establish an advisory panel made up of experts to direct on the best location, scale and format for the centre.
This new facility will give Victorians the peace of mind to start a business, a family, buy a home or get involved with the local community without the spectre of future lockdowns.
We must learn the lessons of Labor’s failed COVID-19 response and ensure we are prepared to keep our state healthy, safe and open.
As stated by Leader of the Opposition, Matthew Guy:
“Instead of relying on harsh lockdowns, our plan will help keep Victoria safe and open.
“We can’t afford to have our lives put on hold by a future pandemic. We need a new way forward to manage infectious diseases whilst getting on with life.
“Our new plan means peace of mind for Victorians who just want to recover and rebuild with confidence.”
As stated by Shadow Minister for Health, Georgie Crozier:
“Our new infectious disease response centre will be the frontline against future pandemics and help keep Victorians healthy and safe.
“Labor’s COVID-19 mismanagement has paralysed our health system and seen elective surgery, cancer screenings and preventative healthcare cancelled and delayed.
“Our plan will help give Victorians confidence that the healthcare they deserve will still be available even during future pandemics.”
