More than 8,000 Australians have thrown their support behind a campaign demanding urgent changes to a government travel scheme they say is leaving regional and rural health workers severely out of pocket.
Mounting Pressure for Policy Overhaul
The petition, directed at Queensland's Health Minister Shannon Fentiman, calls for a comprehensive review and reform of the Queensland Health Travel Scheme (QHTS). This scheme is designed to reimburse eligible public health staff for the costs of travelling to access essential medical specialist care not available in their local communities. However, advocates argue the current model is fundamentally flawed and imposes significant financial hardship.
The petition has garnered a remarkable 8,400 signatures, demonstrating widespread concern over the issue. The campaign is being spearheaded by individuals like Kylie Keating, a nurse from Charters Towers, whose personal struggle with the scheme's limitations has fueled the push for change.
Real-Life Hardships Expose Systemic Flaws
Keating's experience highlights the scheme's critical shortcomings. After being diagnosed with breast cancer, she was required to travel over 130 kilometres from Charters Towers to Townsville Hospital for specialist radiation therapy. While the QHTS provided a travel allowance, it fell drastically short of covering her actual expenses.
"Out of pocket, I was about $250 a week just for fuel," Keating revealed. The allowance failed to account for real-world costs like vehicle wear and tear, tolls, and the substantial time commitment for patients and their support persons. For those requiring prolonged treatment, these costs escalate quickly, creating an unacceptable financial burden during a vulnerable time.
The petition outlines several key areas where the scheme is failing regional Queenslanders. A major point of contention is the fuel subsidy rate, which is currently set at 30 cents per kilometre. Critics state this rate is outdated and does not reflect the true cost of running a vehicle, especially over vast distances on often challenging rural roads.
Broader Implications for Rural Health Workforce
This issue transcends individual hardship and strikes at the heart of challenges in attracting and retaining healthcare professionals in remote areas. If health workers themselves cannot afford to access necessary care within the system they serve, it creates a significant disincentive to work in these regions.
Keating and the petition's supporters are calling for concrete actions from the Queensland Government. Their demands include an immediate review of the QHTS, with a focus on increasing the kilometre allowance to a realistic level. They also advocate for the inclusion of compensation for vehicle maintenance and other ancillary travel costs.
The Queensland Department of Health has acknowledged the concerns, stating the scheme is "under review" to ensure it meets the needs of staff. A spokesperson noted that over 5,000 staff utilised the scheme last financial year, with more than $5.8 million paid in allowances. However, for petitioners, these figures underscore how many are relying on an inadequate system.
As the petition continues to gather momentum, all eyes are on Health Minister Fentiman's office. The campaign presents a clear test of the government's commitment to supporting the very health workforce that sustains medical services in the state's most remote communities. The outcome will have direct implications for the equity and sustainability of rural healthcare in Queensland.
