Scott Morrison ramps up health campaign focus, promising clinical trials in rural Australia

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is set to announce $165 million in funding for health as the election campaign continues.

ELECTION19 SCOTT MORRISON CAMPAIGN DAY 9

The PM will start Saturday with the Good Friday truce ending and the election battle reigniting. (AAP)

Scott Morrison is set to zero in on health, promising $165 million to help clinical trials in the country and a cure for cystic fibrosis.

The prime minister will start Saturday in Sydney with the Good Friday truce ending and the election battle reigniting.

Clinical trials for medicines and treatment in rural and remote Australia will get $100 million if the Coalition wins the May 18 poll.



The money will be delivered over five years from 2020/21 and come out of the Medical Research Future Fund.

"Rural patients with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses often have it twice as hard, spending much of their life on the road to get the treatment they need and deserve," Mr Morrison said.

"This funding brings the trials to them but it also means more time can be spent at home with loved ones."

The Coalition is also promising a $65 million for a dedicated cystic fibrosis specialist unit at Sydney's Westmead Health and Education Precinct.



The unit will look for a cure and provide treatment with state-of-the-art equipment, research and diagnostic facilities.

"From the search for a cure, to the treatment and drugs that help fight cystic fibrosis my government is there every step of the way for Australians dealing with this sinister condition," Mr Morrison said.

Labor leader Bill Shorten and Mr Morrison agreed to down tools on Good Friday and will also refrain from campaigning on Easter Sunday.


Share
Published 20 April 2019 12:04am
Updated 20 April 2019 7:48am


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world