Senior representatives of Charles Sturt University (CSU) met with rural community stakeholders, representatives of the Coalition Opposition, and doctors in Cowra yesterday to lobby for the University’s bid to establish a new rural medical school and present petition signatures.

 

The CSU delegation included the Vice-Chancellor and President of CSU, Professor Andrew Vann, Mrs Audrey Hardman, AOM, chair of CSU's medical school community consultative committee, the Director of Corporate Affairs and University Secretary, Mr Mark Burdack, and medical consultant for the CSU proposal, Professor John Dwyer, AO. They met Dr Andrew Laming, MP,  the federal member for Bowman and shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Health Services and Indigenous Health, and Mr Angus Taylor, the Liberal candidate for Hume in the coming September 2013 federal election.

 

At the meeting organised by Mr Taylor, Mrs Hardman presented to Dr Laming the first instalment of 16 565 Doctors4theBush petition  signatures in support of CSU’s medical school proposal.

 

“This was a great opportunity for the community committee to demonstrate the passion of rural and regional people for a new medical school at Charles Sturt University in Orange and Wagga Wagga,” Mr Burdack said.

 

“It was great to be present to see the reaction of Dr Laming and Mr Taylor, who were clearly impressed by the extraordinary efforts of these dedicated supporters of a medical school for inland Australia.

 

“I have been privileged to work alongside people like Audrey Hardman who is a tireless campaigner for the rights of rural people. She doesn’t just talk about rural health shortages, she gets up and does something about it.

 

“These are the people who inspire the University every day to address the needs and aspirations of rural and regional Australians.

 

“City medical schools aren’t delivering more Australian medical graduates into rural practice. Rural people seem to be saying it’s time for a change.

 

“Either way, no one can deny that this is an issue that rural and regional people care about deeply, and one which cannot be ignored by the next government as it has been for so long.”