A Shorten Labor Government will invest $90 million to redevelop Baxter House Hospital as an elective surgery centre and establish the first Geelong Women and Children’s Hospital.

Our families rely on a healthcare system which works for them.

This election will be a choice between a united Shorten Labor Government which will reverse the Liberals’ health cuts and build the hospitals our community deserves, or more of the Liberals’ cuts and chaos.

We need real change, because more of the same isn’t good enough.

Labor understands we need a world-class healthcare system which serves the interests of the Australian people.

$40 million of Labor’s commitment will go towards the redevelopment of Baxter House into a state-of-the-art elective surgery centre, giving locals quicker access to surgery and reducing pressure on Geelong Hospital.

This funding will go towards upgrading and reopening the existing theatres, recovery spaces, lifts and administration areas.

Labor will also invest $50 million to help establish the new Geelong Women and Children’s Hospital, focused on providing the best health care for families.

This investment is on top of the Andrews Government’s $100 million investment in the new hospital, reaching a total investment of $150 million from both state and federal Labor.

Labor will also commit $15 million towards the Torquay Community Hospital which will provide access to services for people who live in suburban and regional Victoria, closer to their homes.

The Torquay Community Hospital will make it easier for families, patients, carers and clients to access services – such as women’s health, diagnostics including pathology, and chronic disease management – without having to travel to Geelong.

The range of services on offer at this facility will be tailored to suit the needs of the growing Torquay community and be paid for as part of Labor’s $2.8 billion Better Hospitals Fund.

We know if Scott Morrison and the Liberals are re-elected, they will cut $635 million from hospitals in Victoria.

This is a disgrace.

Labor believes that the people of Geelong deserve the best possible health care, which is why we want to make these projects a reality.

The opportunity to develop Baxter House will directly support demand from population growth and the demographic characteristics in the Greater Geelong area, including along the south coast in Corangamite.

Labor can pay for better local hospitals because we will make multinationals pay their fair share and close tax loopholes used by the top end of town.

Scott Morrison is spending billions on handouts to the top end of town while cutting money from local hospitals.

As Treasurer, Scott Morrison cut funding from health while trying to give an $80 billion tax handout to big business, including $17 billion to the big banks.

Families across Victoria are sick of the Liberals’ cuts and chaos. They want investment in their hospitals.

That’s what a Shorten Labor Government will deliver.

If you want better hospitals and schools, not more cuts – vote Labor.