Liberal Nationals fight for 29,000 women hit by breast screening cuts

Those living in the region are encouraged to be part of the 29,000 Victorians called upon to sign up and pressure the Andrews Labor Government to reverse its cuts to breast screening services in Victoria.

Victoria has seen an alarming reduction in breast screenings as a result of ongoing lockdowns and Andrews Labor Government funding cuts, over the past year.

Initially, Health Protection funding was cut prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Combine that with Daniel Andrews’ mismanagement of contact tracing and hotel quarantine, leading to lockdowns, and 49,000 Victorians who would ordinarily be scheduled for a breast screening, weren’t able to do so.

At the recent Victorian Parliament Public Accounts and Estimates hearings, Andrews Labor Government officials confirmed that top-up funding had only been provided for an additional 20,000 breast screens, meaning a shortfall of 29,000.

That’s 29,000 Victorian women who may miss out on an early diagnosis and miss out on receiving life-saving treatment for breast cancer.

In 2021, Breast Cancer Network Australia predicts over 20,000 Australians will be diagnosed with breast cancer.

The campaign to have 29,000 Victorians sign up and call on the Andrews Labor Government to reverse its cuts to breast screening services and women’s health is now open. Murrindindi Shire residents can visit WomensHealthVIC.com to lodge their support.

Comments attributable to State Member for Eildon, Cindy McLeish:

“It is so important to have access to health facilities such as breast screening services. It is not right for the Andrews Labor Government to remove funding.

“Breast screen testing could save a life. No one should be denied the opportunity to care for their health.”

Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Health, Georgie Crozier:

“The Andrews Labor Government has cruelly cut funding to Victoria’s Health Protection services, which covers breast screening, in order to patch up their funding blowouts on a range of major projects.

“Incompetence in hotel quarantine and contact tracing only compounded this problem, leaving at least 29,000 Victorians exposed. We want to see full funding for these services reinstated.”

Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Women, Emma Kealy:

“No Victorian woman should be subjected to Daniel Andrews and Labor’s funding cuts to women’s health.

“The government says they like to save lives, well now is the time to step up, admit the mistake and reverse the cuts.”