MEMBER for Farrer Sussan Ley has had a busy week.
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On Monday, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced she would retain her portfolio as Minister for Health, Aged Care and Sport.
This was followed on Tuesday by the official swearing in of Mr Turnbull and his cabinet.
Ms Ley now represents Griffith and Leeton shires following her successful re-election earlier this month.
She was pleased to be able to combine the roles once more and said it would benefit her constituents.
“I’m very pleased to be able to be the Minister for Health, Aged Care and Sport once more,” Ms Ley said.
“I’ll be making sure I do my absolute very best across all of these areas.
“For me it’s really great because we had gotten started on many reforms, some of which are being rolled out, so it will be good to keep track of those and how they are progressing and working.
“Of course, with everything I do, I always keep in mind rural and regional Australia.
“That will always be at the heart of what I do.”
Ms Ley said she would be keeping an eye on the obstetric situation at Leeton District Hospital.
“I believe we have come to an interim solution that is suitable for the time-being, but obviously a permanent fix needs to be found,” she said.
Ms Ley said the responsibility for the hospital rested with the state government, but she would be ensuring the proper services were provided.
She also said aged care would remain a priority for her.
“Our new aged care system is currently being ‘designed’ at the moment,” Ms Ley said.
“What I want to do is have measures where older residents are staying in their homes for as long as possible, but at the same time making sure their needs are being tended to by local people. I believe that is important.”
For me it’s really great because we had gotten started on many reforms, some of which are being rolled out, so it will be good to keep track of those and how they are progressing and working.
- Sussan Ley