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Healthcare across the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region will soon be more affordable with the government introducing a $65m package for rural communities.
From January 2022, the Rural Bulk Billing Incentive rate will increase between 10 to 40 per cent for doctors working in small regional, rural and remote towns.
The Rural Doctors Association of Australia has applauded the initiative which it says will “significantly increase” bulk-billing rebates.
RDAA president Dr John Hall said it was the first time Medicare recognised healthcare was delivered differently outside larger regional and metropolitan cities.
“This investment will be a game changer for rural and remote primary care,” Dr Hall said.
Proserpine had a minimum of 13.3C this morning, which Mr Regano said was “quite nippy”.
The region is forecast for a top of 27C today before dipping to 12C overnight and into Friday morning, 13C on Saturday and 16C on Sunday.
Overnight and into Friday morning will still be slightly below the May average for Mackay at 14C, increasing to 15C for Saturday morning, 17C for Sunday and up to 20C for Monday.
Mr Regano said showers were expected to return next week.
In Clermont temperatures will jump to 10C overnight and into Friday morning, 11C on Saturday morning and 13C on Sunday morning.
“The development will enable the region to capture a greater share of cattle sales which will result in a significant direct and indirect value-add to the region.”
“We believe in the future of Northern Australia. This means we need to take further action to boost the resilience for Australians to live and work in Northern Australia,” Mr Morrison said.
“Homeowners and businesses have been faced with crippling insurance costs, and in some cases, can’t get insurance at all. It’s not OK, and we’re going to change that. The average strata premium was $6800 in North Queensland, twice the Australian average of $3300.
“Our plan will give more Australians in cyclone-prone areas access to affordable insurance.”
The report, handed down in January 2021, revealed Northern Australians were being slugged with premiums twice the national average.
Opinion: Investment is needed now to diversify our economy DIVERSIFICATION: We need to make the investment now to diversify our local economy and future-proof our region, Paul McLaughlin says.
Opinion Paul McLaughlin
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There is no doubt the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region is one of the most naturally beautiful places in Australia.
From the iconic Great Barrier Reef to the hidden coastline gems in Bowen and the scenic Eungella National Park – it is truly a spectacular place.
It’s no surprise that in the year ending December 2020, 532,000 Australians enjoyed an overnight stay in the Whitsunday region and spent over $630m during their visit (an increase of 16.2 per cent on the previous year).