Monday, 6 September 2021
IF there’s one good thing about the steaming pile of excrement that is the despicable Queensland hard border situation, according to Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall, it is that it grows the occasional beautiful flower.
That flower has come in the form of a massive back-down by the Queensland Government over the snap closure of the Mungindi Hospital to locals on the NSW side of the border.
Mr Marshall said over the next two weeks the Queensland South West Hospital and Health Service would undertake a staged transition back to full-service delivery at the hospital for residents on both sides of the Barwon River.
“People power has prevailed yet again – and I couldn’t be happier for the Mungindi community,” Mr Marshall said.
“Of all the COVID-19 restrictions imposed by any government during the pandemic, few have been as heartless and draconian as Queensland’s decision to block NSW Mungindi residents from accessing their own local hospital.
“From this Thursday (9 September), primary and community care staff will recommence their services at the hospital.
“The GP Clinic established on the NSW side of Mungindi will remain operational until Friday, 10 September.
“Non-acute patient care will be delivered by this NSW GP clinic in the short-term to ensure continuity of care while the transition takes place.
“This will mean aged care residents can get back to their accommodation and NSW Mungindi hospital staff can get back to work.”
Mr Marshall said the Queensland Government tried to rip the Mungindi community apart, but thankfully failed.
“As with every problem Mungindi faces, the community on both sides of the border, banded together, fought like crazy and triumphed,” he said.
“I want to recognise every individual resident, medical practitioner who put pen to paper and fought to get this basic service reinstated.
“The stress caused to aged care residents and patients who lost access to their regular health service is unacceptable and the Queensland Premier owes the community an apology for this action.
“No community should be left without access to basic medical services and it is a great relief that from Friday, Mungindi residents in NSW will once again be able to drive across the bridge to access their hospital.
Mr Marshall thanked his federal colleague Mark Coulton, Moree Plains Shire Council, NSW Cross Border Commissioner James McTavish and Deputy Premier John Barilaro for their support in achieving this result.
“The Queensland Government now knows not to mess with Mungindi – it may be a small border community, but it is united and it is mighty,” he said.