Helen Dalton urges Premier to honour pre-election promise for Western Riverina Local Health District

Independent Member for Murray, Helen Dalton is urging Premier Chris Minns to keep his pre-election promise to her to create an independent Health District in the seat of Murray.

"Before he was Premier, Chris looked me in the eye, shook my hand and promised that if he became Premier, he would pilot a new health district in Murray, allowing us to break away from the Wagga-based Murrumbidgee Local Health District," Ms Dalton said.

"I took the Premier at his word then and I expect him to be true to his word now."

Ms Dalton recently introduced the Health Services Amendment (Splitting of the Murrumbidgee Local Health District) Bill 2025 to Parliament.

The Bill would give the people of Murray their own Local Health District called the Western Riverina Local Health District.

"Premier Minns can honour his word by simply supporting my Private Members Bill.

"If you live in Murray, the Murrumbidgee Local Health District isn't local at all, because it's effectively run from Wagga. It may as well be run from Melbourne."

Ms Dalton said Murrumbidgee Local Health District failed to provide adequate care to the people of Murray, because it is run from so far away.

"We need, and deserve, locally based, locally-planned and locally-delivered health care services.

"We don't want to be an after-thought, once Wagga has been looked after, like we are now.

"Wagga Base Hospital is already at breaking point.

"The creation of the Western Riverina Local Health District will reduce this strain by decentralising health service provision.

"This will reduce wait times and enhance the quality of services.

"Murray must have 24/7 specialist services, like maternity care, orthopaedics and surgery as well as increased mental health services.

"So far, Premier Minns has not committed to the creation of the Western Riverine Local Health District.

"But I believe he is a man of his word, and I'm expecting an announcement from Chris any day now."