‘Dismissive and out of touch’: Minister slammed over Euston health gap

In Short:

• Failed Response: Mayor Louie Zaffina has labelled the NSW Health Minister’s response to parliamentary questions about Euston’s health services as "unacceptable" and "fundamentally inadequate".
• Access Denied: Council argues that pointing residents to distant towns like Broken Hill ignores the reality of reduced cross-border access to Victorian services.
• Demands for Action: The Council is calling for an immediate feasibility assessment for a multi-purpose health facility in Euston and funded community transport solutions.

The fight for equitable healthcare in the State’s far west has escalated, with Balranald Shire Council Mayor Louie Zaffina launching a scathing attack on the NSW Minister for Health over the lack of services in Euston.

The Mayor’s comments follow a response to questions raised in Parliament by Member for Murray, Helen Dalton MP, which Mr. Zaffina described as "unacceptable, dismissive and fundamentally inadequate".

For the communities of Balranald, Hay, Carrathool, and Central Darling, where distance is the greatest barrier to care, the Mayor’s frustration strikes a chord. He argues that the government is failing to account for the unique challenges faced by those living on the fringe of two state systems.

"The Minister's response offers absolutely nothing new to the people of Euston," Mayor Zaffina said. 

"It simply lists the same services residents have been forced to rely on, while completely ignoring the reality that cross-border access has been reduced and, in some cases, effectively removed".

A major point of contention is the government’s suggestion that residents simply travel to other regional hubs for treatment.

"Pointing residents to Buronga, Balranald or Broken Hill is not a solution. It is a deflection," Mayor Zaffina said. 

"We are talking about elderly residents, people with chronic illness, families with limited transport options, and a community that already sits on the fringe of two state systems".

The Mayor further criticised the reliance on the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Scheme (IPTAAS), stating that "telling people they can access [the scheme] is not health service delivery; it is an admission that the system is failing them".

According to the Council, three critical questions posed by Helen Dalton MP regarding additional support, extra transport funding, and the assessment of a multi-purpose health facility all appear to have been answered with a "no".

"The people of Euston deserve more than recycled talking points," Mayor Zaffina said. 

"They deserve action, accountability, and a health system that recognises they exist".

Balranald Shire Council is now calling on the NSW Government to immediately commit to a formal feasibility assessment for a multi-purpose health facility in Euston, funded community transport solutions specific to the town’s needs, and practical interim measures to address the gap created by reduced cross-border access.

Council has confirmed it will continue to work alongside Helen Dalton MP to advocate for the community until meaningful outcomes are delivered.