Yarragon doctor Malcolm McKelvie is the Greens candidate for the Gippsland by-election.

Dr McKelvie, who has lived in West Gippsland for 12 years, said health was a major issue that especially touched the Gippsland communities.

“As a local doctor I know there is a critical shortage of doctors and nurses throughout the region and services are stretched to the limit,” he said.

“Few GPs offer bulk billing and there are long waiting lists to see specialists and counsellors. This is an added burden in country areas, where many people are battling drought and financial hardship.

"After years of neglect by the Howard government the health service needs serious attention, but there is no indication from the Rudd Government that it has the commitment to provide this.

“The Greens will plough proposed tax cuts back in to health and education. We will also scrap the $3.6 billion federal government subsidy to private health insurance and put that money back into public health.

“We believe the health system needs the kind of root and branch overhaul that Mr Rudd has announced for the taxation system.

“That's why we propose to dismantle the current funding system and pool all state and federal funding for distribution by a health commission to end the bickering over responsibilities and control.

“We will establish a network of primary health care centres across the nation, where people can see a doctor, a nurse practitioner or a counsellor. We will also extend free dental care to those on low incomes and in special need, and build a network of 24-hour mental health centres.”

Dr McKelvie said health was just one area where the Greens stood apart from the old parties.

“The Greens want to future-proof our country in a range of areas – climate change, education, establishing renewable energy industries in places like the Latrobe Valley to tackle our reliance on fossil fuels such as coal.”

If elected to parliament, Dr McKelvie would join Prime Minister Kevin Rudd as an MP with an interest in China and its language. He has been studying Mandarin as part of his initiative to build a business importing electric-assisted bicycles from China.

For further information: Malcolm McKelvie 0417 364 615